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Latest Harbour Master News - UKHMA - The Harbour Masters Association of the United Kingdom, The Channel Islands and The Isle of ManEnglishLooking for a Place of Refugehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1116
Graeme Ewens15 May 2017

The recent episode off Lands End, UK, in which a disabled coaster was taken in tow by two RNLI lifeboats in the absence of a dedicated salvage tug points up the continuing demands to reinstate the four Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) that were once based at strategic locations around the UK coast.Currently the tug based in Orkney, regularly mentioned in MJ’s Tugs and Towing section, is the only such vessel. The case for reinstating ETVs elsewhere has been well argued but there is also concern about finding a Place of Refuge (PoR) for vessels once they have been salvaged or saved in UK waters. Many port and local government authorities are reluctant to let casualty vessels into their ports for fear of pollution, berth blocking or legal complications.Vessels in distress are frequently seen as ’lepers of the seas’, but the Dutch coaster Lady Alida that suffered engine failure and was saved by the Penlee and Sennen Cove lifeboats in March 2017 was one year old and operated by responsible owners. The lifeboats held the 3700dwt ship offshore for up to 11 hours before a tug had been contracted and as the vessel was posing no threat to the environment it was then permitted to anchor in Falmouth Bay.That incident has unsettling similarities with one of the most tragic UK maritime disasters of recent times when the Union Star, on its maiden voyage to Ireland in 1981, suffered engine failure in a Force 12 hurricane and foundered on the rocks, taking with it the lives of all its crew and passengers along with the crew of the Penlee lifeboat the Solomon Browne. In that case the ship’s captain had refused to take a tow offered by a tug under the Lloyds Open Form. Since then, and following several high profile shipwrecks, new regulations have given the authorities power to order or ’Direct’ a vessel’s master to accept assistance and allow their ship to be taken to a Place of Refuge.The guiding principle of rescue and salvage has always been that the preservation of life is the priority, followed by that of property (notably the vessel and cargo involved). However, society’s priorities now lie more in the protection of the environment than in the value of ships.Small coasters carrying dry bulk cargoes are comparatively low value, whereas the value of a container ship or tanker includes its cargo. Salvaging that cargo can be difficult and time consuming, while the possibility of an oil spill from bunkers or tanker cargoes is the biggest worry.Once a vessel has been salvaged, however, there remains the problem of where to take it to be lightened, cleaned up, repaired or dismantled. No community would be keen to accept such a potential hazard as a shipwreck on their doorstep and a game of ’pass the parcel’ can ensue.During another incident in 2014, also in west Cornwall, the Falmouth Harbour Master Captain Mark Sansom refused access to the port for a Ukranian-owned coaster Sea Breeze, abandoned by its crew and being kept afloat by salvors’ pumps. Capt Sansom says "The Sea Breeze had a flooded engine room but still had sufficient buoyancy to remain afloat. . .The reason for refusing entry was that it had been abandoned and therefore became a ’derelict’ in salvage law terms. There was no proper salvage contract in place (a towage contract had been placed by the owner) which meant that there was no person legally in command of the vessel. There were also issues about gaining financial security that led to the refusal of the vessel when entry was initially requested."The salvor, KML, was directed to tow the vessel along the coast to St Austell Bay. However, the Fowey Harbour Master Captain Paul Thomas at first denied access to his port until the MCA agreed to underwrite the risk of possible foundering, berth blocking or loss of any port dues. After finding a berth at the china clay wharf, the Sea Breeze was eventually accepted at the lay up buoys in the River Fal, under the jurisdiction of the Truro harbour master.According to KML’s Diccon Rogers: "The use of the long-established salvage contract Lloyds Open Form (LOF) with its ’No Cure, No Pay’ clause is now in decline and it can be costly and time consuming to obtain payment, with many salvors now preferring to use other terms of contract. The SCOPIC clause of LOF is intended to address environmental concerns in big incidents but is less easy to implement when dealing with smaller ship incidents."One example of the LOF procedure occurred during the infamous Torrey Canyon incident of 1967 that created the first major environmental crisis caused by a large oil spill. Following several days’ work on the stricken supertanker the Dutch salvors Wijsmuller eventually pulled out of the job, after losing the lives of two of their crew, some equipment and much wasted effort trying to salvage the vessel. That episode started the shift of emphasis from preservation of property to that of environmental protection.The case of another tanker, the Prestige, which broke up off the coast of Spain in 2002 gave further impetus to establishing a code of practice. That vessel had suffered structural damage and salvage tugs were soon connected but the Spanish authorities refused to let them bring the ship inshore, denying a place of refuge, and insisted it was taken out into the Atlantic. The vessel then broke up, spilling thousands of tonnes of oil which was washed ashore on the Iberian coastline causing another environmental disaster.One function of the European Marine Safety Agency (EMSA), set up in 2002, was to establish a marine pollution, preparedness, detection and resource capability to protect EU coasts and waters from pollution by ships.The UK system is based on results of the Donaldson report which followed the MV Braer oil spill in Scotland and the Sea Empress incident at Milford Haven, and the creation of SOSREP who has the legal power of Direction to instruct vessels and salvors. The Coastguard can request a tug and facilitate a salvage agreement but if there are serious environmental or navigation issues Sosrep can direct a vessel to accept a tow. This happened recently when a ship was on fire off Holyhead and was directed to Liverpool where fire fighting facilities were available. "SOSREP has the power to direct anybody," says Capt Sansom. "There is a penalty if refused but it is a collaborative process and I have never been in a situation where the wishes of the harbour authority are overruled."In the case of the Lady Alida the ship was eventually directed to accept a tow from a large AHT, the 300mt bollard pull Alp Centre, which happened to be close by in Mounts Bay. As Capt Sansom states: "In the absence of an ETV, casualty vessels are reliant on a ’vessel of opportunity’."The Alp Centre was tasked to take the tow even though MTS Indus was steaming west from Brixham against heavy seas, the Fowey tug Morgawr was heading homeward from Falmouth and KML’s Tennaherdhya was in Falmouth harbour on standby to proceed.Although the Alp Centre happened to be on hand at the time of that incident most commercial operators as well as the UK government find it too expensive to keep salvage tugs permanently on station. The French Abeilles vessels are on permanent charter to the French government and when those tugs are called into action the French Navy is often on hand to ensure that government instructions are obeyed. In the USA, the Coast Guard will take an interest in any such incident. The Netherlands has a centralised command and control set up in Rijkswatetstaat, which is part of the country’s ministry of transport.Diccon Rogers says "In Europe there is a structure of good intentions but attitudes to command and control of salvage situations vary widely between coastal states "HM Coastguard points out that there is no statutory obligation on the UK Government to provide towing and salvage services when ships get into difficulty. When an incident does occur it is the master’s responsibility to alert the Coastguard which can provide assistance to identify commercial tug availability. It is then the responsibility of the owners or insurers of the casualty vessel to negotiate a contract for the services to be provided. This contract can be arranged through a broker or with the tug owners directly. In Scotland the re-introduced ETV is contracted on a standby basis only; once the tug is employed and connected to the casualty vessel they are then under the conditions of LOF. IMO Guidelines on Places of Refuge for Ships in Need of Assistance recommended that coastal states develop procedures that would enable an efficient and objective risk assessment in order to allow the ship into a PoR. They used to be known as ’Ports of Refuge’ but PoRs around the UK coast can be ports, sheltered bays or safe anchorages.In compliance with Article 20 of EU Directive 2002/59 (Vessel Traffic Monitoring Directive), the UK has set up a system to identify PoRs for vessels in need of assistance. Unlike other countries, the UK does not have pre-designated PoR locations. The Coastguard consider that every shipping or offshore incident is unique and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.The SOSREP is the designated competent authority to assign a place of refuge in the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The MCA Counter Pollution Branch, with the assistance of the various UK Standing Environmental Groups, supports the SOSREP by analysing the PoR options available and recommending those most suitable for his consideration and final determination. When all the environmental and socio-economic factors have been considered, the casualty vessel will be taken to the agreed PoR for damage assessment, offloading of fuel and pollutants, repairs or cargo transfer/discharge.Small coaster calamities rarely make the headlines, but big ship disaster stories can run for weeks and months. Two newsworthy cases which exemplify the need to make the right decision are that of the Prestige where the refusal of access to a safe haven caused an environmental disaster, and the MSC Napoli, the UK-flagged container ship successfully beached in Lyme Bay in 2007 and which was eventually broken up in situ over 924 days with no serious pollution.The multi-agency Environment Group was later praised by the Napoli’s owners and other responders for its effectiveness and reactive approach. Reflecting on events 10 years later, Julian Wardlaw from the Environment Agency, who chaired the Group, said: "The grounding of the Napoli was such an unusual event we had to be very innovative." At the later enquiry he said he supported the decision to deliberately ground the stricken ship off East Devon, describing it as the ‘least worst option’.Hugh Shaw, the current SOSREP said: "The strategy was unusual in that we deliberately grounded the ship in Lyme Bay to mitigate against a potentially far more serious situation. Once the vessel was in the shallow, sheltered waters of Lyme Bay, the salvage operation was infinitely more manageable. Failure to take action would have led to a significant risk of the vessel sinking in the open seas of the English Channel which could have led to long term environmental consequences as well as navigation safety issues."While the SOSREP system does have its critics, the MCA claims the handling of the MSC Napoli stranding set a benchmark in maritime incidents and is used in training exercises to demonstrate how best to respond to maritime and coastal emergencies and safeguard the public and environment.]]>UKHMAWed, 17 May 2017 08:35:46 +0100Beloved Harbour Dog gets his own Bespoke KitKat barhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1114
Peter McGlone16 May 2017

Jake-a-break: Beloved harbour dog gets his own bespoke KitKat barThe special edition biscuit will be auctioned off to raise cash so the popular Arbroath canine can get a new life jacket.

Harbour dog and karaoke king Jake really takes the biscuit.We told how he works hard to keep Arbroath harbour safe by scaring off seagulls and unwinds by howling along to his favourite songs at the local pub.

And now he’s found fame again on the wrapper of a special edition KitKat.Owner and harbour assistant Carl Nielsen entered a contest with the biscuit firm using the slogan “Jake-A-Break”.And manufacturers Nestle sent him a one-off KitKat with a personalised wrapper.

The biscuit is now up for auction so that Carl can buy Jake a new lifejacket.Carl said: “Some of the money will also go to the Dog’s Trust charity and the lifejacket will be able to have a little first aid kit attached to it.“It’s a complete one-off wrapper so hopefully we can get some interest in it.”Jake has had fans travelling to see him after he hit the headlines in March.Carl said: “He absolutely loves the attention. Some people even made the journey specially from Glasgow after hearing about him. “He enjoys all the fuss but he knows that when his lifejacket goes on, he is at his work.”The top bid by last night was £53, with the auction running until Sunday.]]>UKHMATue, 16 May 2017 11:17:09 +0100Ransomware Cyber Attackhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1112
Dear Colleagues

Re: WannaCry Ransomware

You will have seen the media coverage of the WannaCry Ransomware that has affected a number of computer systems within the UK and worldwide.

I attach the latest advice, at OFFICIAL level, from the DfT and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which I would ask you to circulate to your cyber security colleagues within your company.

We also ask that all ‘WannaCry’ infections on your networks are reported to DfT’s cyber security team and to the NCSC. Also please update DfT in the next 48 hours if you believe your systems are potentially vulnerable to the WannaCry ransomware.

Alice MacFarlan Cyber Security - Aviation and Maritime, TS-COR (Transport Security: Coordination & Operational Response) Tel: 0207 944 3890 | 07584 586599 2/24, Great Minster House33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR]]>UKHMAMon, 15 May 2017 19:04:21 +0100Dolphin-Watching Centre Overlooking Aberdeen Harbour Proposedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1113
The planned heritage and science centre at Greyhope Bay near Torry will make Aberdeen one of the prime spots in the UK to see marine wildlife, such as dolphins, porpoises and whales.Now the public have a chance to see how the centre could look after the release of a 3D video showing a virtual reality tour of the proposed building.The footage was shown last night at a fundraising gala dinner in aid of the project at the site of the proposed development.

Initially envisaged as a visitor centre with a viewing platform, the project has grown to now include a restaurant, theatre and interactive exhibit space.The facility is also expected to become an international hub for marine research and planners hope it will provide a major boost for tourism in the city and beyond.Today the public were invited to visit the marquee between 11am and 4pm for a family fun day.Fiona McIntyre, marine research scientist and the managing director of the development, said she hoped this will give the local community a chance to see what Greyhope Bay is all about.She added: “Of course, there’s always the chance to spot the dolphins – the folk from RSPB Dolphinwatch will be on hand with binoculars and telescopes to help people enjoy the marine life.“Throughout the day, we’ll also be hoping to raise even more cash for the project through raffles and donations.”Councillor Alan Donnelly, who represents Torry, said he was “very supportive” of the venture which could help in the diversification of Aberdeen’s economy.He said: “We need to diversify Aberdeen’s economy away from oil and gas. And the new harbour being built there will potentially attract cruise liners and have tourists come in and look at the dolphins.“I warmly welcome it and I think the community in Torry would like to see it.“It would be absolutely magnificent, I just hope it’s deliverable.”]]>UKHMATue, 16 May 2017 08:56:49 +0100Port of Southampton Welcomes 20,000 TEU Boxshiphttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1110
11 May 2017

On May 11, the Port of Southampton welcomed the second-largest container ship in the world and the largest ever to dock in the UK, the MOL Triumph. She can carry up to 20,170 containers at a time, just shy of the capacity of the newly delivered Madrid Maersk. On her deck she has containers stacked up to 11 high and the same number below. The port suggests that if all her boxes were laid end to end they would reach from Southampton to London.Port of Southampton said that the new ship’s eco-credentials are impressive too, with energy saving technologies leading to fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per container reduced by up to 30 per cent. MOL’s six new 20,000 TEU-class containerships are equipped with advanced energy-saving technologies including low friction underwater paint, high efficiency propeller and rudder and an optimized fine hull form.Associated British Ports Southampton Harbour Master Martin Phipps said that MOL Triumph is just one of many giants due to visit the port this year. “MOL Triumph is the largest container ship our pilots have brought into Southampton. Our pilot joined the ship at 1015 this morning south of the Isle of Wight and ensured she travelled safely through the Central Solent and Southampton Water to DP World," Phipps said. “Our Patrol launch ensured any sight-seers were kept at the correct distance to allow MOL Triumph to continue safely."On Sunday, the Triumph and her small crew of 20 mariners will head to Hamburg before beginning the return trip to Asia.

]]>UKHMAMon, 15 May 2017 08:13:14 +0100£100 Million Plan to Transform Wick Harbour is Revealedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1111
An artist’s impression of what Wick Harbour could look like if the ambitious £100 million blueprint for the port becomes a reality. The new infrastructure could open up offshore decomissioning opportunities creating new jobs.PLANS have been drawn up to transform Wick Harbour in a potential £100 million development which port chiefs say could ’change the face of Caithness forever.’Wick Harbour Authority (WHA) has released images of its plans to create a new quay which would allow for offshore decommissioning work to be carried out at the port.It is part of ambitious plans WHA has created to prepare Caithness for life after Dounreay and take advantage of the offshore and renewable energy opportunities which it is determined Wick has a prime position to play a part in.WHA has spent £85,000 on designs for the future of the harbour as a result of the amount of interest they are receiving from companies in the energy sector.]]>UKHMAMon, 15 May 2017 08:20:06 +0100Trade at Teignmouth Port on the up After Near £1mhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1109
Daniel Clark10 May 2017

A near £1million investment in new equipment at the port of Teignmouth is paying off as trade is on the up. The investment was made at the port late in 2016 when it took delivery of three new pieces of equipment to improve operations.Associated British Ports South West invested £900,000 in a new, 90-metre crane plus other heavy machinery.These purchases follow the construction of a new bulk store by ABP worth £550,000 earlier in the year, and a £250,000 investment by the Harbour Commission to allow larger vessels to enter the port.

Teignmouth harbourmaster Cdr David Vaughan said that the investments made recently have paid off and that trade into the port is on the rise.Cdr Vaughan said: “Since the investments were made to the port last year, we have seen an increase in activity at the port.“ABP have been busy marketing the port and attracting new customers, and it is paying off. We have seen an increase in clay imports, and an increase in imports of aggregates, cement, salt and other cargoes.

“The recession in 2008 did hit the business, but we are recovering well and the signs are that the trend of trade being on the up will continue."He added that the investment and the upturn in trade was good for jobs and industry in the area and he said that he believed things would get better.

The aim is to get even more vessels and trade into Teignmouth. We just want to encourage more ships so the port can trade even more. ABP have improved the overall facilities and lots of investments have been made, and we as the Harbour Commission will continue to do our bit to ensure the port remains open for business and continue to dredge the channel to enable deeper draughted ships to enter the port and to increase the window when current ships that use the port can come and go."Short Sea Ports director Andrew Harston said: “The Port of Teignmouth handles around 350,000 tonnes of cargo each year and provides a vital link for local importers and exporters in Devon.“We want to ensure the customers who use our port have access to reliable facilities which help their businesses.“Teignmouth’s investment is representative of the overall investment which is being made across ABP’s port estate to ensure we are putting our customers first and providing effective infrastructure and equipment."“Teignmouth is not the biggest port, but it is no less important than any other port, and this is good news for the region."

]]>UKHMAThu, 11 May 2017 11:18:53 +0100Port of Blyth Posts Record Results for the Second Year Runninghttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1108
Graeme Whitfield10 May 2017

A North East port has bucked national trends to record a second year of record turnovers.The Port of Blyth, in Northumberland , saw turnover grow 17% in 2016 to reach £23.2m, while pre-tax profits were up 50% to £1.9m and commercial vessel movements at the port, which is now the seventh largest of its kind in the UK, grew by 20%.

Blyth’s success, which was built around an increase in trade in the energy sector, came as many many other ports nationally and locally saw incomes fall due to slumps in the steel, offshore and coal markets.The port also saw continued success in attracting unitised, breakbulk and dry bulk cargoes, growing its client list significantly and reinvesting profits into facilities on its site.

Chief executive Martin Lawlor said: “Having achieved record financial figures in 2015 we’re very pleased to announce another set of outstanding results across the group this year.“Driven by the primary port operating business’ best ever financial results and a strong performance across all trade sectors, these figures highlight both the continued growth of Port of Blyth and a very positive outlook for its future.”The growth helped Port of Blyth strengthen its role as an economic driver for the region, directly and indirectly supporting thousands of jobs and providing an international gateway for many North East businesses.The year covered by the accounts also saw the port act as a key partner in the Tall Ships Regatta, which attracted half a million visitors to Blyth and boosted the local economy by £13.5m.

It also saw Hebburn’s TSG Marine, which provides engineering services to the oil and gas, marine and renewables industries, opening a new base at the port.Port of Blyth chairman Geoff Hodgson said: “Having achieved a second successive record year, the port is clearly on a sound financial footing with continued success expected in the future.“As a trust, the port’s on-going success will benefit our wider stakeholders and with several exciting developments planned for the coming years, we expect this growth to continue in 2017 and beyond.”]]>UKHMAThu, 11 May 2017 11:08:47 +0100Integrated CCTV System for Port and Ferry Terminal Securityhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1107
Jake Frith10 May 2017

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) provide efficient, cost-effective harbour and port infrastructure services for operators and communities in and around Scotland, UK. The company owns and manages 26 ports, harbours and slipways, as well as the infrastructure necessary for vital ferry services serving the West coast of Scotland and the Clyde Estuary.Running such a diverse operation across a large area presents huge operational and security challenges, particularly when managing highly remote ports and harbours that are subject to variable weather and sea conditions. CMAL has turned to the latest CCTV technology to meet these challenges head on, creating an unprecedented network of High Definition Internet Protocol (HD IP) cameras that are improving CMAL’s visibility across its entire operation. With up-to-the-minute, live information fed back from all of the company’s ports and harbours, the new system is claimed to be helping improve security, operational efficiency as well as enhancing navigational safety across the CMAL enterprise.Scottish Communications Group (SCG), which describes itself as Scotland’s leading expert in Internet Protocol Close Circuit Television (IP CCTV), Video Analytics, Access Control, Communications and Wireless Networking, has been commissioned to install the new system and is currently half way through phase one of the project. The company is currently deploying new smart IP HD CCTV solutions to 25 Clyde and west coast harbours, ports, slipways and other facilities owned by CMAL. Ongoing, SCG will be responsible for the full maintenance and support on the solution which was chosen after a rigorous procurement and proof of concept process to demonstrate the quality and robustness of the technology. SCG won the open tender in October 2015 for a figure of £1.85 million, said to be one of the largest CCTV contracts awarded in Scotland. David McHardie, Harbour Master at CMAL said: “After careful consideration CMAL selected Scottish Communications Group as our CCTV partner of choice to work with us on installing and upgrading CCTV capabilities across our 25 Scottish ports. We were incredibly impressed by their professionalism and expertise during the tender stage, and they have continued to demonstrate excellence, flexibility and resilience as we have begun to install the new systems in some exceptionally challenging locations and environmental conditions.”The new system harnesses the latest generation Bosch IP cameras, including five Mega Pixel (MP) cameras, thermal imaging and MIC series fully functional cameras. Inbuilt technology, such as Advanced Video Analytics, will be used to provide a safe, secure and health and safety conscious flexible solution for CMAL, which is the statutory harbour authority for 16 of the harbour locations and whose jurisdiction extends to the remaining nine port facilities. 25 individual systems will be installed by SCG that can be remotely accessed and controlled from CMAL’s headquarters in Port Glasgow though a myriad of different connection types, ranging from high speed broadband to very limited and restricted bandwidth lines. This will provide CMAL with a live, high definition view of all of its port and harbour operations, controlled and maintained from one place.The new CCTV system can also be viewed and controlled remotely over the internet via a smart phone, laptop or other device by a restricted number of authorised users within CMAL and CALMAC, meaning the entire operation can be managed from any location in real time, using existing infrastructure and technology. By improving access to its CCTV network via smart devices, the new system will vastly improve the responsiveness of CMAL to security or health and safety incidents. The system will also enable CMAL to remotely monitor navigational aids and lights that previously required regular onsite checks by engineers. This is likely to save time as well as significantly reduce the cost of maintenance.The new system will also help CMAL to respond to threats and emergencies more efficiently, from incidents and medical crises or harbour crime. For example, the new CCTV system will be capable of generating automated alarms and notifications in accordance with pre-set criteria and in doing so, will provide the means for CMAL to respond to incidents quickly, particularly when out of hours. This level of automation will also help CMAL to manage unstaffed locations more effectively. Harbour activities can also be recorded for later analysis, ensuring the safety and security of operations and enabling CMAL, port authorities or the Police to review incidents and collect evidence.The ability to monitor port and harbour activities and provide a safer working environment for staff, particularly at unstaffed locations, is of paramount importance to CMAL. Remote monitoring of lone workers will ensure CMAL staff and others that work on their own within harbour areas, particularly where there is poor mobile telephone coverage, are kept safe. The ability to view live incidents remotely will also allow harbour operators to act quickly and affect an appropriate response to the circumstances.In addition to enhancing the security and protection of property and harbour facilities, the new CCTV system will help CMAL meet the EU’s strict vessel specific security requirements. Current legislation demands an increasingly high level of security provision, not only for ships used in international shipping and the port facilities serving them, but also for ships operating domestic services within the community and their port facilities, in particular passenger ships and ferries. Having access to an integrated network of cameras will give CMAL an unprecedented view of their entire enterprise, vastly improving the security and safety of ships and vessels using their port and harbour services.The new CCTV IP system will also bring a direct benefit to CALMAC’s ferry operations. Most notably, the new system will provide RoRo Ferry Masters with live images of local sea and weather conditions at destination ports. Having access to these CCTV images will help inform their decision making process, enabling Ferry Masters to optimise lifeline ferry service provision across all routes that use CMAL harbours.Liam Mowatt, Scottish Communications Group’s Technical Director said: “We’ve really been able to leverage the newest HD technology for this project to get the maximum benefit out of the equipment. With this technology, one camera can do the work of many older cameras, which has both a cost benefit and makes maintaining the system a lot more efficient. We’ve been able to build a robust wireless network that links together the system, giving CMAL a really powerful view of all of their harbours.”]]>UKHMAThu, 11 May 2017 11:00:00 +0100New Facilities Mark Continued Partnership Between Suffolk Yacht Harbour at Levington and Hadleigh Based Wincer Keivenaarhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1104
Duncan Brodie9 May 2017

Suffolk Yacht Harbour on the River Orwell at Levington, near Ipswich, the largest independently-owned marina on the east coast, has unveiled a newly-completed amenities building.

The new facilities, designed by Hadleigh-based architects Wincer Kievenaar, include individual wet and dry areas, under floor heating, LED lighting and the latest in sanitary ware.

Features include vaulted ceilings to allow maximum light and ventilation, heated seats in the shower cubicles, heated mirrors (to prevent “steaming up”) and an ultra-efficient heat recovery extraction system which removes steam but does not reduce the room temperature. Jonathan Dyke, managing director at Suffolk Yacht Harbour, said: “Whilst there are many fantastic marinas on the east coast, it is important that we attract visitors from the south coast and further afield. “The new facilities are part of our ongoing investment plan to ensure we are offering a consistently high quality service to berth-holders and new marina users.”

Craig Western, director at Wincer Kievenaar, said: “The original brief simply put, was to raise the bar of UK yachting facilities to a standard that would not be out of place in a spa hotel. “In addition, for facilities of this nature it was important to ensure the fixtures and materials were robust and fit for purpose.”He added: “Wincer Kievenaar has had a close working relationship with the yacht harbour for many years. The practice has worked with Jonathan to continually develop and improve facilities available at the harbour and to bring a degree of architectural cohesion to the entire site.”Suffolk Yacht Harbour, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary, offers a wide range of services and facilities for local and visiting yachtsmen. As well as 550 berths and additional swinging moorings, the marina has two well-equipped chandleries as well as state of the art workshops to carry out repairs on modern and classic yachts. This includes the largest boat lifting and launching facilities between Bridlington in Yorkshire and the Solent on the south coast, with the capability to handle vessels from small 6m day sailors to 20m work boats. Other on-site businesses include sail making, a sailing school, rigging, marine engineering, electronics and brokerage services.]]>UKHMAWed, 10 May 2017 11:03:06 +0100Russian Billionaire’s Yacht Leaves Whitehavenhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1105
9 May 2017

Onlookers lined up this morning to watch a £40million super yacht belonging to Russia’s richest man leave Whitehaven harbour.Lady M had been berthed in the town since Sunday evening for a mystery visit to west Cumbria.The vessel is owned by 51-year-old steel magnate Alexei Mordashov who has an estimated fortune of nearly £13billion and is a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin. ]]>UKHMAWed, 10 May 2017 11:08:24 +0100EMSA - Press Releasehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1106
11 May 2017

The Port of London Authority (PLA) launched its latest safety campaign, focused on the Human Factor, at its Annual Stakeholder Forum today (Tuesday, 9 May).The PLA decided to target human error after analysis of incident data showed that it was the leading cause of navigational incidents on the tidal Thames in the last two years. It drew on Maritime & Coastguard Agency guidance highlighting the ‘deadly dozen’, the twelve Top People Related Factors, in developing the campaign.

Bob Baker, Chief Harbour Master and Nick Evans, Deputy Harbour MasterSpeaking to more than 150 stakeholders at the annual Forum, PLA chief harbour master, Bob Baker, said “Over the last two years, human error was linked to more than 40% of the accidents on the river. Often it’s the simplest of things that trip people up, whether recognising that their mind’s not on the job or suddenly thinking ‘I wasn’t clear in my instructions’.”The campaign highlights the Deadly Dozen things to watch out for are: Habits – Don’t confuse efficiency with dangerous short cuts Unity – Do you work well together? Mindfulness – What have I missed? Attentiveness – Are you multi–tasking or dangerously distracted? Notifying – Do you speak up when you should? Fitness for duty – Are you fit to carry out your duties safely? Ability – Is your crew capable? Communication – Do you understand each other? Tensions – Are you just busy or dangerously overloaded? Overtired – Are you just tired or dangerously fatigued? Routine – Just because things are going well now, doesn’t mean they can’t go wrong. Safety Culture – Do it the safe way, do it the right way, do it everyday.

“Our campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the Deadly Dozen. Over the next twelve months we will be giving hints and tips to river users on a variety of elements, including best practice, communication and avoiding distractions,” added Bob Baker. “Our statistics show, for example, that as the winter nights close in, the risk of accidents increases. October, between 5 pm and 6 pm, is a real accident ‘hot spot’ people need to be alert to, for example.”]]>UKHMAWed, 10 May 2017 10:23:27 +0100Former Harbour Man will be "Sadly Missed"http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1102
Neil Riddell9 May 2017

FORMER SIC harbourmaster Jim Dickson MBE, who was winched onto the Braer oil tanker before it crashed onto the rocks in 1993, has died suddenly at the age of 69.He was heavily involved during the busiest period in the local authority’s harbour operation at Sullom Voe, beginning work there in 1980 in the marine operations department as a pollution control officer.Dickson went on to become general manager, harbourmaster and pilot master, taking over the reins from Captain George Sutherland in 2003 before retiring in 2008.After visiting Whalsay regularly from an early age to spend time with relatives, he moved to Shetland in the mid 1960s, and married Ollaberry woman Peggy Duncan. They had two children, son Sean and daughter Lauri, before he was widowed in 1996.Dickson died suddenly on Saturday morning and is survived by his partner Ingirid Eunson as well as his son and daughter and grandchildren Steven and Sara.Sutherland paid warm tribute to Dickson, saying he was not only a former colleague but also a neighbour and a good friend who would be "sadly missed"."He was a very sound professional and a man who had an excellent reputation," he said. "He was extremely good at what he did, and a pleasure to work alongside. We had many good times together – I shall miss him."Dickson began his 28-year stint with the SIC at the start of the eighties having trained at Leith Nautical College before going to sea with BP as an apprentice cadet. He then completed a maritime studies course which led him into shoreside administration.Sutherland recalls first coming across Dickson when he was working at Hudson’s offshore service base in Sandwick."In due course he came to work with us... we worked more or less side-by-side, and he worked for me from 1986 onwards," he said."He was a true and valued colleague, a safe pair of hands, always to be relied upon. And he became, in due course, probably one of the world’s top five anti-pollution control people, and was recognised internationally for his ability and expertise."Dickson did "an enormous amount to secure the environmental protection of Sullom Voe" at a time when the terminal was processing around two million barrels of oil a day (the volume today is a fraction of that)."It was a time when there were too many careless mishaps with big ships, lots of accidents and oil spills worldwide," Sutherland reflects. "We were on top of the game, managed pretty much to keep it clean – due in no small measure to Jim’s knowledge, expertise and effort."

In January 1993 one of those careless mishaps did occur when the Braer oil tanker ran aground near Quendale in stormy weather.While it was many miles outwith the port’s ambit, Dickson volunteered – accompanied by two Sullom Voe pilots – to go with the coastguard search and rescue helicopter.He was winched onto the stern of the ship in the hope of dropping the anchors, but with the sea swell breaking over the Braer’s upper deck it was not possible.Dickson told The Shetland Times when he retired nine years ago that it had been "a strange feeling being on board. I went on the bridge, there was nobody there and the radio was squawking away."As they attempted to attach a messenger rope they felt a bang and realised the tanker, laden with 80,000 barrels of crude oil, had come ashore and they were swiftly hoisted to safety."The ship took to ground, the helicopter lifted them off," Sutherland said. "As a result of that, Jim was awarded an MBE, and I think it was richly deserved for all the efforts."The pair were closely involved in managing the marine response afterwards – it was "something we’d been preparing for years, so when it came you just got on with it", Sutherland said.When he retired the Sella Ness operation was in the midst of restructuring, with responsibility for ferries being returned to the local authority’s infrastructure department. That left Dickson to take over the ports and harbours operation, and Sutherland said he was "clearly the right man and a safe pair of hands to pass it onto".Dickson lived just a few hundred yards from Sutherland, who said the pair regularly bumped into each other on the road and at the Delting marina where they both had boats.He spent his retirement pursuing his interest in renewable energy, installing a small wind turbine next to his house, and had an electric car "before almost anybody else did".He also ran his own wildlife watching and sea-angling company, Shetland Marine Charters, which offered boat trips from the marina in Brae.Those pastimes formed part of "his continuing interest in protecting the environment, as well as it making economic sense".Another former colleague, North Mainland councillor Alastair Cooper, described Dickson’s death as "very sad news"."Jim was a very good officer, very committed to his work," he said. "The one thing with Jim was, if you wanted something done, he was a good organiser. He had a lot of good qualities." ]]>UKHMAWed, 10 May 2017 10:18:51 +0100New Jersey Harbourmaster announcedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1115
16 May 2017

JERSEY’S next Harbourmaster has been announced as a master mariner who has more than 20 years’ seagoing experience.Ports of Jersey has appointed Captain William Sadler, who joined the organisation in January 2015, to the position.The news comes after it emerged in March that the current Harbourmaster, Captain Phil Buckley, was standing down in mid-June in order to return to the UK for family reasons.Ports of Jersey said that Capt Sadler has worked ‘across a number of different sectors’, including with oil and gas tankers and passenger vessels.Prior to joining Ports of Jersey, Capt Sadler spent 12 years – five of which were in command – with the charity Trinity House, which is dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers, as well as providing education, support and welfare to the seafaring community.Capt Sadler and his wife, Claire, live in St Lawrence with their children, Sophia (11) and Alex (9).

]]>UKHMAWed, 17 May 2017 08:27:06 +0100Norwegian Tourists to Sample the Delights of the North-East as Cruise Ship Berths in Sunderlandhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article1101
Bruce Unwin8 May 2017

A CRUISE ship bringing scores of sight-seers to the North-East has made a return trip to the waters of the River Wear.The MS Gann sailed into the Port of Sunderland’s Corporation Quay on Friday, bringing 162 tourists from Stavanger, in Norway, to the city to explore what Sunderland and the wider region has to offer.Passengers were greeted with guide packs outlining how they could enjoy their stay, from visitor attractions like the National Glass Centre and the sea-front, to the bars, cafes and restaurants around the city centre.This is the third time the 6,257-tonne Norwegian cruise ship has visited the Wear.It made a surprise visit to the port during a training exercise in April 2014, when an unscheduled diversion meant it could not reach its intended destination.Following that chance visit, the cruise ship crew were so impressed by the city and the hospitality shown by the Port of Sunderland, that they returned in June the following year with more than 140 tourists on board.

]]>UKHMATue, 09 May 2017 15:49:57 +0100EMSA: January 2011 newsletterhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article181
The January 2011 newsletter of the European Marine Safety Agency (EMSA) is published and includes:

· EMSA progress report at EU Parliament TRAN Committee

· Green light for the “Blue Belt”

· Training on Ro-Pax stability

· Alive and clicking: Multiple ICT project launches in December

· A feast of ship and fleet data: Equasis 2008-9 stats now online

To read the full newsletter, open the attached file or click on the External Website link below.]]>UKHMAWed, 05 Jan 2011 17:11:35 +0000Eyemouth: EU Funding for Harbour Facelifthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article280
Berwickshire News24/3/2011

Eyemouth’s struggling fishing industry received a welcome helping hand from the European Fisheries Fund programme this week - part of a £4.6 million payout to 65 Scottish fishing industry projects.

Eyemouth Harbour Trust received £141,955 towards their £189,273 modernisation project providing additional storage and a specific area where fishing gear can be repaired and maintained. Safety and working conditions around the port will also be improved.

The Harbour Trust’s business manager, Christine Bell said: “We are delighted that Eyemouth’s bid has been successful and that we’ve been awarded this grant. The development will contribute to the more effective management of limited quayside space around the harbour as well as improve sustainability of Eyemouth as a fishing port.

“This development will provide a designated area for secure storage of fishing gear (nets, etc) as well as allow fishing crews to work in a safer area that is segregated from other harbour traffic and operations. Currently there is no designated area for storage and maintenance of fishing equipment and crews carry out maintenance on nets, etc at various areas around the quayside, and in areas frequently used by harbour traffic and members of the public.

“The provision of lighting in the area would also improve conditions to aid maintenance works as, during winter months, work is often carried out in poor lighting which can be hazardous.”

The local fleet will be able to store, more securely, equipment that has been removed from fishing vessels temporarily because of diversification, (from white-fish to prawns). It will also allow the port to be more competitive by providing additional facilities to fishing fleets, which might otherwise use other ports.

As well as the fishing sector, other local organisations such as the RNLI, boatbuilders (Coastal Marine), and seafood processors in the town will also benefit with safer access to previously problem areas.

The hope is that with more modern maintenance facilities in the port, non local vessels will be more likely to visit Eyemouth for repairs and maintenance, providing wider economical benefits locally. Likewise it would also encourage local boat owners to remain in the port to carry out repairs, which are otherwise travelling elsewhere to carry out repairs on vessels.]]>UKHMAThu, 24 Mar 2011 12:11:53 +0000Hayle: Marine Renewables Business Park a Step Closerhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article233
Construction Enquirer11.2.2011

Carillion has won a £6.6m contract to build a bridge over Copperhouse Pool at Hayle harbour in Cornwall.

The concrete bridge forms part of a wider £14m regeneration plan for the harbour.

Carillion’s contract also includes improved highway access, repair of harbour walls on North and East Quay, the creation of a promenade along North Quay and flood protection works.

The works will raise the development areas above the flood level and a new highway will connect to the site of a proposed marine business park on North Quay.

The works are anticipated to take 12 months to complete.

The Hayle Harbour Primary Infrastructure Project is a public sector funded project which is essential in the delivery of the required infrastructure for the development of the proposed Marine Renewables Business Park.]]>UKHMASat, 12 Feb 2011 12:30:03 +0000MCA Invite UKHMA Input on ETV Replacementhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article137
An official invitation has been received by the UKHMA to contribute to a ’think-tank’ industry meeting to determine the possible, and practicable, options for future Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) provision in British waters.

The invitation, in a letter from MCA Chief Executive Sir Alan Massey to UKHMA President Kevin Richardson, seeks to bring together opinions from throughout the maritime sector so that ETV provision, in some form, may be provided after the current service is withdrawn in September 2011.

The meeting is to be chaired by MCA Head of Marine Services Peter Naylor at a date and location to be announced shortly.

Association Members who wish to contibute at the meeting, or those who wish to submit suggestions for the process, are asked to contact the Secretary, Peter Moth, without delay (Email here)]]>UKHMAFri, 10 Dec 2010 10:45:33 +0000Great Yarmouth coastal system: new report availablehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article150
Little is known of the volume of sediment held within the Great Yarmouth spit or its short-term fluctuations in sediment storage capacity. Such gaps in coastal sediment budgets mean that the effects of predicted future increases in relative sea level and storminess are difficult to forecast. The current study addressed this by examining the late-Holocene geomorphic evolution of the Great Yarmouth spit, providing a value for the volume of sediment stored within the feature and placing current morphological changes within an historical context. The specific aims of this research were to investigate: (1) spit volume, (2) spit morphological change (3) potential forcings for this change and (4) likely future morphological trends.

Short-term fluctuations in the Great Yarmouth spit’s sediment storage capacity were identified by investigating morphological changes within the feature’s coastal zone from map and aerial photograph evidence. These fluctuations appear to be site-specific across the Great Yarmouth spit and adjacent areas. Indeed, between 1800 and 2007 Winterton-on-Sea experienced accretion whilst coastline retreat followed by a period of relative stability typified trends at Caister-on-Sea. North Denes shows sea-ward advance of the coastline but this occurs after a phase of erosion prior to 1890. Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach and Gorleston-on-Sea have remained relatively stable after a similar phase of pre-1890 erosion. All sites investigated are currently (2008 data) displaying either maintenance of or an increase in sediment storage capacity within the stable spit area (that above normal tidal conditions) with the exception of Caister Point which is undergoing erosion.

PLANS for a massive marina set 200 metres offshore from Hamworthy Park have been revealed by Poole Harbour Commissioners.

Proposals for the £20-25 million boat haven with 950 berths include a new home for neighbouring Poole Yacht Club.

Part of the Port Master Plan, the curved breakwater would include some land reclamation, pontoons, a berth for a cruise ship, workshops and a small marine business park, possibly an education centre and the potential to create several hundred new jobs.

The cruise industry has seen remarkable growth over the last ten years, driven by the increase in demand for cruise holidays starting and ending in the UK. As a direct result of this increase, ABP has, in recent years, invested over £41 million in its cruise facilities, which has enabled the port to provide world class facilities which can cater for all sizes of cruise ships. The new terminal will be designed to accommodate the largest cruise vessels afloat and will be the result of a further £30 million investment by ABP.

Mike Penning MP, said: "I am delighted to get the opportunity to visit Southampton and see its cruise facilities first hand. Southampton has a long and proud maritime history and the new terminal plans that I have been shown today will not only provide a boost to the local and national economy, but will help ensure the city maintains its status in the maritime world for many more years to come."

Doug Morrison, Port Director ABP Southampton, said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to welcome the Minister to the Port of Southampton today and take the opportunity to unveil our plans for a fifth cruise terminal. Investing in this type of infrastructure helps create jobs and will bring prosperity to the city and surrounding economy.”

“We are very proud of our port here in Southampton and the building of a fifth cruise terminal will cement our position at the forefront of the European cruise industry.”

Notes:

· It is expected that work will start on the new cruise terminal in 2011 and will become operational in 2013.· The Port of Southampton’s fifth cruise terminal follows Ocean Terminal, the fourth dedicated cruise terminal which opened in May 2009.· Since its opening, the Ocean Terminal has handled in excess of 800,000 passengers.· The Port of Southampton Master Plan (2009) foresaw the need for additional cruise terminal facilities in the Western Docks.]]>UKHMAWed, 15 Dec 2010 12:37:20 +0000Isle of Man: Fuel Stolen from Moored Boathttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article200
BBC Online24.1.2011

A large amount of fuel has been siphoned from a boat moored near the Solway Harvester in Douglas Harbour.

Isle of Man police said the offenders would have had to have docked alongside another boat to remove the fuel.

A spokesman said the fuel had been taken sometime between 8 and 22 January.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact police. Boat and vehicle owners are also being warned to be extra vigilant.

Pc Watterson, of the Douglas Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "For the amount of fuel that has been taken, the offenders would have had to use another boat to dock alongside and siphon it out.

"Thankfully, fuel thefts from boats are a rare occurrence. However, due to economic pressure, the cost of fuel is on the rise and this may lead to future thefts occurring or being attempted.

"I would therefore encourage all boat and vehicle owners to be extra vigilant and take every precaution to secure any fuel and tanks on board."]]>UKHMAMon, 24 Jan 2011 13:05:32 +0000Rhyl Harbour: £9.2m Development Plan Announcedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article232
BBC News Online, North East Wales8/2/2011

A proposed £9.2m development of Rhyl’s harbour area has moved a step closer after Denbighshire councillors voted to approve progression of the plans.

The Rhyl Foryd Harbour plans include a bridge, quayside units, a public square and improvements to the High Street.

The regeneration at the seaside resort has been called ’the most expensive project ever undertaken’ by the council.

The projects will mostly be funded by Europe, with a target date of 2013.

A report, discussed by councillors, said the £9.2m has been allocated from the Welsh European Funding Office through the Welsh Assembly Government.

The proposed Foryd cycle and pedestrian bridge alone will cost an estimated £4.2m. If approved, it will span 80m (262ft) across Rhyl’s Foryd Harbour and walkways will lift to let boats pass.

The harbourside units and public square will cost an estimated £3m, with £1.8m earmarked for high street improvements - although the total cost of improving the street is thought to be up to £7m.

The charges for vessels using the port of Sullom Voe will increase by five per cent this year, it was agreed at a special meeting of the SIC harbour board on Wednesday.

Harbour Master [and UKHMA Member] Roger Moore said he felt that the increase would be acceptable to port users. Sullom Voe was already one of the most expensive ports in Europe, he said, due to its infrastructure and its safey and environmental protection measures, and tried to be competitive.

The meeting heard that the council’s harbour account should aim for a level of profitability of £4 million a year, a budget set by the council in 2009, but it was generally accepted this could not be achieved with an increase of only five per cent at Sullom Voe.

Independent member Jim Tait said five per cent was “slightly too low” and suggested seven per cent. “If we don’t keep going ahead we will get more pressure in years to come,” Mr Tait said, calling the figure a “sensible compromise”.

However, Jim Henry said Sullom Voe was already expensive, and fellow councillors Addie Doull and Robert Henderson warned the increase could be killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

Mr Henderson said: “We shouldn’t shoot ourselves in the foot and encourage trade to go elsewhere.” Members eventually voted for the five per cent increase.

Board chairman Alastair Cooper said there is a lot of trade to be won from the west of Shetland if “the price is right”.

At present the harbour account, which goes into the reserve fund, is estimated to show a profit of £1.9 million for 2011-12. If savings in the “ports for the future” programme can be achieved, plus a one-off amount for the sale of a tug, the amount could be increased.

Savings are also expected to be made through ports and harbours staff reductions in 2012-13.]]>UKHMAThu, 10 Feb 2011 14:49:43 +0000National Contingency Plan - Review: Feedback Invitedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article226
As a major stakeholder in this sector, Members of the UKHMA are invited to participate in this refresh and review process.

The existing Plan may be viewed via the External Website link below.

The letter of invitation from the MCA is attached here.

Comments need to be received by the MCA by 22 February 2011.

A topic thread is open in the UKHMA Members’ Forum. Please contribute to an Association response via the Forum.]]>UKHMAMon, 07 Feb 2011 12:49:13 +0000PD Teesport: Visit by Shipping Ministerhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article227
10/2/2011

Shipping Minister, MP Mike Penning, visited Teesport operator PD Ports yesterday, as part of a region-wide visit of the North East.

Mr Penning, who is responsible for shipping, freight and logistics, was reportedly pleased to have the opportunity to tour Teesport, as the visit emphasises his message of the importance of portcentric and coastal shipping, which are seen as vital components in building and maintaining a strong UK economy.

The Minister visited PD Ports’latest expansion project, undertaken by Hall Construction Services Ltd, which commenced at the beginning of this month. The new development will expand the port’s container handling capacity by almost 50%, helping to position Teesport as one of the UK’s major container hubs and building on a record growth in container volumes in 2010.

The visit also included a tour of MGT Power’s planned £400m Tees Renewable Energy Plant, on approved dockside land owned by PD Ports. The 300MW biomass power station will be one of the world’s largest, generating enough electricity to power 600,000 homes.

Caption: David Robinson, PD Ports CEO, with Mike Penning, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport.]]>UKHMAThu, 10 Feb 2011 13:40:04 +0000Open Letter to Sir Alan Massey (MCA)http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article124
In response to the withdrawal of the ETV and MIRG provision under the Comprehensive Savings Review, the UKHMA has written to Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive, MCA, to express its concern that maritime safety is being compromised in the name of financial prudence.

"Most, if not all, of Lord Donaldson’s recommendations remain valid today", commented UKHMA President, Kevin Richardson. "We believe that there remains a justifiable case for ETV cover in the Western Approaches, the Eastern English Channel and the north of Scotland, as shown by incidents in the last month alone."

"In short, we believe this action is a gamble and as such poses serious and unacceptable risks to the marine environment."

UKHMA Members may view the complete letter in the Member Area>>Documents>>Open Correspondence]]>UKHMAMon, 22 Nov 2010 17:25:35 +0000Captain Michael Evanshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article229
It is with regret that we report the tragic death of Captain Michael Evans, Deputy Harbour Master, Belfast, and Full Member, UKHMA.

Capt. Evans was a passenger on the Manx2 flight which crashed at Cork airport yesterday morning after a flight from Belfast.

An active and valued contributor to UKHMA debates, Capt. Evans was well respected in his local community and was held in high regard by colleagues throughout N. Ireland ports and harbours, and beyond.

In tribute, the Irish Times reported this morning:

Capt. Michael Evans was Deputy Harbour Master at Belfast port and was married with a family. He was originally from England before moving to the North.

He completed his Master’s certificate in 1989 while employed with the China Navigation Company of Hong Kong, where he was supervising container, bulk, break bulk, forest product and tanker vessels as officer, master and shipbuilding superintendent.

In 1996, he moved to PO ferries to become involved in their fast ferry operation in Northern Ireland and joined Belfast Harbour in 2002 as Assistant Harbour Master before being promoted to Deputy Harbour Master in 2005.

He specialised in conservancy, increasing recreational usage and event management.

Harbour Master Kevin Allen said: “We’re all devastated by the news of Michael’s death. He was phenomenally committed to his job and to his colleagues, helping ensure that the harbour stayed open to shipping every hour of every day.” He added: “Michael was tremendous fun and unique to work with, and was well known and respected throughout the shipping industry. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Andrea, and family.”

Len O’Hagan, Belfast Harbour chairman, said: “Capt Michael Evans joined Belfast Harbour in 2002 and quickly established himself as a lynchpin in the day-to-day management of the port’s operations . . . Michael will be sorely missed by the harbour, but our thoughts are first and foremost with his family.”

The Association will send a message of condolence to Capt. Evans’ family later today.

Arrangements will be advised to Members by separate email.]]>UKHMAFri, 11 Feb 2011 11:19:13 +0000Ports of Scotland: 2011 Edition. Free to UKHMA Membershttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article154
Ports of Scotland is now available, free-of-charge, to UKHMA Members.

To order a copy, please email: Ports of Scotland]]>UKHMAWed, 15 Dec 2010 18:11:36 +0000Expansion for Orkney’s Cruise Porthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article155
Kirkwall, historic capital of the Orkney Islands, has achieved ‘the double’, clinching the cruise ship industry’s ‘Best UK Port of Call’ award in the same year that it recorded the country’s biggest annual tally of 70 visiting vessels.

Now plans are in hand to extend the town’s Hatston Pier from 225 to 380-metres, supporting development of Orkney’s burgeoning wave and tidal renewable energy sector and also giving bigger liners the option to berth alongside as opposed to going to anchor to offload passengers in tenders.

Orkney Islands Council has applied for European Regional Development funding towards the pier extension and, given the green light, will quickly start detailed designs to have the new facility in place for late summer, 2012.

Kirkwall received the Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Award as best UK port of call for 2010, for its attention to detail, investment in onshore facilities and visitor transportation options, along with its passenger-tour mix of ancient attractions and modern arts and crafts traditions.

This mix of investment and services has helped grow the number of visiting cruise ships by two-thirds, from 42 to 70, in less than five years. The 2010 total was significantly ahead of the national UK average and topped all other individual ports, including bigger locations such as London, Southampton or Edinburgh.

The Kirkwall plans come as a report this month from industry body Cruise Scotland has found that the country could see a four-fold increase in passenger visits to one million by 2030, given further improvements in provided dockside facilities and tours on offer.]]>UKHMAThu, 16 Dec 2010 17:00:37 +0000UKSAR Meeting (Dec 2010) Minuteshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article241
Members wishing to view the document should Login, and select Documents>>Safety from the Member’s Area menu.]]>UKHMAMon, 14 Feb 2011 14:25:24 +0000HM Coast Guard Review: MCA Answers Frequently Asked Questionshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article242
Additional Q&A arising from Senior Management internal staff briefing. Published 15/2/2011

As outlined in the consultation document ’Protecting our Seas and Shores in the 21st Century’ the MCA has undertaken to publish answers to frequently raised queries for clarification during the course of the consultation.

The questions relate to the modernisation of the Coastguard that have been received and answered during the course of internal management briefings to Agency staff.

To view the Q&A, follow the External Website link below.]]>UKHMATue, 15 Feb 2011 15:03:12 +0000Ecological Impact Assessment Guidelines e-Publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article142
The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management have announced the e-publication of their Ecological Impact Assessment Guidelines for Marine and Coastal Environments (EcIA Guidelines: Marine and Coastal).

This is the first time that Guidelines have been available that set out a process for undertaking EcIA in the marine environment.

The EcIA Guidelines: Marine and Coastal is an essential tool for the marine professional including: ecologists, engineers, surveyors, planners, researchers and teachers). They set a new standard for the marine industry when undertaking the ecological component of Environmental Impact Assessment.

The Guidelines have been prepared in full consultation with the Statutory Nature Conservation and Environment Organisations (CCW, NE, NIEA, NPWS, SNH, EA, SEPA, EPA) and NGOs (MBA, RSPB and The Wildlife Trust) and the Crown Estate.

The document is available online and can be downloaded free of charge from the External Link below.

Concern at the increasing trend in serious lower back injuries to passengers on small high-speed craft.

Helmsmen, owners and operators need to be alert to the dangers to passengers and crew of small high-speed craft as described in MGN 353 (M+F).

The full report may be viewed by following the External Website link below.]]>UKHMAThu, 27 Jan 2011 13:54:38 +0000Bristol: Habitat Creation Scheme to be Developed http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article209
UKHMA Commercial Member, ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer), has been commissioned by the Bristol Port Company to lead a team in the design and delivery of a habitat creation scheme on the Steart Peninsula.

ABPmer is working with Jacobs to design a scheme that will create over 120 hectares of intertidal habitat for birds and other wildlife. The scheme is needed to compensate for an area of foreshore that will be reclaimed when the Company builds a new container terminal at Avonmouth near Bristol in the Severn Estuary. Bristol Port has consent to build the new container terminal to accommodate the largest deep-sea ships that cannot enter the existing Port.

ABPmer will be preparing the environmental impact assessment and associated consents package for the port which expects to apply for planning permission later in 2011.

Stephen Hull, Technical Director at ABPmer said, “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract as we have a long history of working in the estuary. Using our knowledge of the area gained through our delivery of the Severn Coastal Habitat Management Plan (CHaMP) and other studies, our work will be focused on placing this scheme in the context of the overall management of the Severn Estuary system.”

ABPmer is an established provider of specialist input to managed realignment and habitat creation schemes in the coastal zone. During 2010, the company was commissioned to undertake both feasibility and scheme design studies at a variety of sites on the UK coast. Additionally, ABPmer hosted an “Optimising Managed Realignment Conference” in London.]]>UKHMAThu, 27 Jan 2011 16:01:08 +0000MAIB: LLanddwyn Island. Letter of Thankshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article207
The MAIB Report requested that all UKHMA Members be advised of new guidelines for workboat crew engaged in harbour towing activities.

The letter advises also that the matter is being drawn to the attention of the port Marine safety Code Steering Group, "with the aim of widening its impact to include harbour masters who are not Members of the UKHMA".]]>UKHMAThu, 27 Jan 2011 13:46:09 +0000ESPO Newshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article145
Latest news from the European Sea Port Organisation, including:

]]>UKHMAFri, 10 Dec 2010 21:56:58 +0000Felixstowe: Testing Begins at New Deep Water Terminalhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article248
The Port of Felixstowe has begun the testing phase of its new deep-water container terminal development, known as Berths 8 and 9.

The CSCL STAR, the first of five new ultra-large container ships joining the CSCL fleet in 2011, will berth today (18 February 2011) at the UK’s newest container terminal during its maiden voyage from Asia. A limited number of discharge moves will be performed before the vessel moves to its regular berth at the port’s Trinity Terminal to complete cargo operations.

As the first phase of the Felixstowe South development, Berths 8 and 9 will provide an additional 730 metres of deep-water quay capable of accommodating the world’s largest container ships when it formally opens later in 2011.

With a declared capacity of 14,100 TEU, the CSCL STAR is one of the world’s largest container ships and able to handle a significantly greater number of containers than any other ship currently in the CSCL fleet. The vessel has a length of 366 metres, and a width of 51.2 metres, or 20 rows of containers across the deck.

Built by Samsung Heavy Industries, and delivered in January 2011, the vessel has a gross tonnage of 150,853, and a draught of 14.5 metres. The CSCL STAR will be deployed on the AEX1 Service, with a rotation of: Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Port of Felixstowe, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Hong Kong and Shanghai. ]]>UKHMASat, 19 Feb 2011 15:26:14 +0000Advice on Disposal of Time-Expired Pyrotechnicshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article147
From 1 April 2010 the process for depositing time expired pyrotechnics (TEPs) with HM Coastguard will change.

Following legislative changes in 2005 covering the transport and storage of explosives, the number of HM Coastguard sites which are able to accept TEPs has been reduced to 17 licensed locations. The RNLI also have one facility that is licensed to accept TEPs. Other HM Coastguard facilities will not be able to accept out of date flares.

The facilities provided by HM Coastguard should only be used if all other disposal options have been exhausted. If you have out of date or damaged flares you should first contact the supplier from whom you originally brought them to see if they offer a take back scheme. Some Local Authorities also operate disposal facilities.

HM Coastguard is not responsible for the disposal of TEPs and accepts them at its own discretion and subject to storage availability. HM Coastguard will only accept TEPs from recreational water users and does not make active collections of TEPs under any circumstances.

If you wish to handover TEPs, like old distress flares, to HM Coastguard you must contact your local Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to make an appointment to arrange handover.

When contacting your local MRCC you must inform them of the number, condition and age of the TEPs that you are looking to dispose of. The MRCC will check current storage levels and will advise you on a date and time that your TEPs can be deposited.

HM Coastguard will not tolerate threatening or abusive behaviour to members of our staff and will actively seek to prosecute offenders.

In some cases where a TEP has deteriorated and is considered to be in a dangerous condition, the MRCC will arrange for its immediate disposal, but this will be at the discretion of the MRCC and subject to the condition of the TEP. It should be noted that pyrotechnics are manufactured to very high standard, but incorrect storage and handling of a pyrotechnic may affect its stability over a period of time.

DO NOT turn up at an MRCC or other Coastguard location on speculation that it will take TEPs. From 1 April 2010, only 17 HM Coastguard and 1 RNLI locations will have the facilities to accept TEPs; all other HM Coastguard sites will not have facilities to accept TEPs and you will be turned away.DO NOT anonymously deposit large quantities of TEPs at any HM Coastguard Sector Base, Coastguard Rescue Equipment Stores, RNLI Lifeboat Houses or Police Stations. Many of these locations maybe unmanned and the depositing of potentially dangerous TEPs is a safety hazard and is illegal. Irresponsibly discarded TEPs could potentially result in serious or fatal injury.DO NOT put TEPs in general household rubbish or public litter bins where they could cause extensive damage to refuse collection facilities and could potentially result in serious or fatal injury.

Under NO circumstances will HM Coastguard collect or accept TEPs from commercial organisations. Commercial organisations must make their own arrangements for the collection and disposal of their TEPs.

It is important to note the following Regulations and Guidance:

It is an offence to fire distress-signal pyrotechnics on land, in harbour or at sea for either testing purposes, practice or as fireworks (whether the pyrotechnics are out of date or not).It is an offence to dump pyrotechnics at sea.Out of date pyrotechnics should be landed ashore as soon as possible after the date of expiry for safe disposal.Damaged or out of date pyrotechnics should not be used.]]>UKHMAFri, 10 Dec 2010 22:25:19 +0000Safety on Marina Pontoons and Quaysideshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article151
This unit, designed and manufactured to match all of the other LeeStrom equipment, is finished in hard wearing, polished stainless steel and comprises a bolt mounting stand onto which is fitted a 2m stand.

On one side this houses a commercial and stationary use, 75cm diameter, CE/Rina approved life ring with 10m of swim rope on an easy release hook. On the other side is mounted a thermoplastic, UV stable, fire extinguisher box with a 6kg ABC fire extinguisher which can be supplied as powder, gel or foam.

The new unit was shown for the first time on the LeeStrom’s stand at METS 2010, along with sewage and waste water pumping equipment and bilge water pump out systems.

More details on all LeeStrom equipment and services are available on the External Link below.]]>UKHMATue, 14 Dec 2010 13:32:02 +0000Aberdeen Harbour to be dredgedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article156
Source: Dredging News Online

Aberdeen Harbour is to spend £8.5 million dredging its entrance to allow ships to enter more frequently during bad weather.

According to a report from Shetland Marine News, the plan emerged during a meeting between the harbour and Shetland transport partnership ZetTrans, when the island delegation complained that ferry and freight services were being disrupted by the harbour’s shallow entrance.

ZetTrans chairwoman Iris Hawkins said that they had been shown plans to dredge the harbour mouth to eight metres and dredging further in the port to reach 7m.

A seabed survey to examine the type of rock that will have to be removed is already underway and the harbour hopes to start actual dredging work in 2012.

Mrs Hawkins said: “It was a very encouraging meeting. It was fine to meet with the personnel involved and to see the plans they have for dredging the harbour.” ZetTrans head of transport Michael Craigie said Aberdeen harbour said they were able to source the funding to carry out the project themselves.

“They are doing some trial dredging channels at the moment to see what the conditions are like and see how far they can go with the plans that they have,” Mr Craigie said.

He said the dredging would improve the situation where NorthLink ferries and freighters wait outside Aberdeen harbour when the sea swell is high, largely due to strong easterly winds.

This has become an increasing occurrence over the past few years, though statistically it is infrequent. “These improvements will make it even more of a rare event than it is at the moment,” he said.]]>UKHMAFri, 17 Dec 2010 11:58:49 +0000UKHMA To Produce "Guidance Statement" on Designated Personhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article164
As a consequence, the UKHMA was invited to produce a "Guidance Statement" on DP appointments for consideration at the next PMSC SG meeting as a further strengthening of the guidance already contained in the Guide to Good Practice.

UKHMA Vice-President Capt. Phil Holliday (ABP Southampton) has agreed to compile the statement. Any UKHMA Members who wish to comment on or contribute to the Guidance Statement, should contact Capt Holliday on: PHolliday@abports.co.uk]]>UKHMAFri, 17 Dec 2010 15:49:12 +0000Extra time for the Marine Conservation Zone Projecthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article165
At a Board meeting on 7 December, James Marsden, Chair of the Project Board, said: “In response to stakeholders’ concerns, the increased scope of Defra Guidance Note 1 and on taking advice from the four regional MCZ project teams, I’m delighted that the Board has agreed extra time to enable the regional projects to complete their MCZ recommendations and impact assessments.”

The revised timeline is now as follows:• 28 February 2011 (unchanged date): the four MCZ regional projects submit their third progress reports to the Science Advisory Panel.

• 1 June 2011 (unchanged date, but changed scope of what is to be delivered at this time): On receiving feedback from the Science Advisory Panel, the four MCZ regional projects will be required to deliver draft final proposals, including site boundaries and conservation objectives.

• 31 August 2011 (extended date): the four MCZ regional projects will deliver their final MCZ recommendations to the Science Advisory Panel and the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies – which are the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Natural England.

• 30 September 2011 (extended date): the four regional and cumulative impact assessments must be delivered to the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies.

• 30 November 2011 (unchanged date): the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies must deliver their final advice to Government, to enable designation of MCZs by 2012.

Joanna Redhead, Net Gain Project Manager, said: “This is good news. It demonstrates that the stakeholder process is working, but there is still a lot more work to do.”

"We also want to change and improve the leadership, management and support we give our volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers, and make better use of their local knowledge and training."

The consultation contains opportunities for comments and suggestions from industry stakeholders as well as from the wider general public.

The consultation started on 16 December 2010 and run for 14 weeks until 24 March 2011.

Documents and instructions relating to the Consultation may be accessed via the External Link below.

See also the comments posted on the UKHMA Forum]]>UKHMAFri, 17 Dec 2010 14:50:58 +0000Family Pays Tribute to Robert Tallackhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article239
This is Somerset

The family of Robert Tallack, who would have been 68 last Thursday, has spoken about the tragic incident.

An inquest into how Captain Tallack died in freezing waters has been opened.

Widow Patricia and daughter Charlotte, of Compton House in Axbridge, released this statement.

"On Sunday, January 30, Captain Robert Tallack was assisting another resident of Axbridge move an ex-Royal Naval vessel from Dartmouth to another mooring in Plymouth harbour.

"About four miles from Plymouth the vessel began to take on water but reached its mooring before sinking.

"The three crew members, including the owner of the boat, were safely ashore when the boat sank but unfortunately Robert, who, because of his experience at sea, was acting as ship’s captain, was still on board. Captain Tallack served as a senior officer on merchant ships and held the rank of commander in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve."

Captain Tallack was a pillar of the town through his ownership of Compton House Hotel, his work on the chamber of commerce and friendship of St John’s Church, among other activities.

Captain Tallack’s naval experience led him to form IDG Maritime Ltd with partner Peter Bingham in 2000.

The firm advised on anything port related, with most of its work done abroad in developing countries like Albania, Iraq, Kuwait, Malawi and Pakistan.

Mr Bingham said he couldn’t believe the news, leaving him shocked and disturbed. But he added that Captain Tallack enjoyed a good reputation for his ship-related work and ran a highly respected training course for harbour masters.

The boat Captain Tallack was transferring, the Yarmouth Navigator, was one of the few surviving boats of its class that escaped the Normandy beach landings intact on D-Day in 1944. ]]>UKHMASun, 13 Feb 2011 21:50:20 +0000Transport Committee to Study MCA Proposalshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article247
www.parliament.co.uk17.2.2011

MPs to conduct full inquiry into the Coastguard, emergency towing vessels and the Maritime Incident Response Group

The Transport Committee is to conduct an inquiry into the Government’s proposals for modernising the Coastguard. It will also examine the impact of the Government’s decisions not to renew the current contract for emergency towing vessels when it expires in September 2011 and to review arrangements for the Maritime Incident Response Group, which responds to incidents at sea for which fire-fighting, chemical hazard and/or rescue teams may be required.

The inquiry will build on the oral evidence provided to the Committee by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on 8 February. The Committee expects to hear further oral evidence from a range of interested parties, beginning after Easter.

Written evidence would be welcome on these issues from any individual or organisation affected by, or with a view on, the Government’s proposals. This could take the form of a paper or letter written specifically for the Committee or we would be grateful to be copied into responses to the Government’s consultation exercise on the future of the Coastguard service. We would be grateful to receive written submissions by Tuesday 26 April.

In responding to the news of the proposed inquiry, UKHMA President, Kevin Richardson, commented: ’This is a most welcome development and will provide the opportunity for the Association to make its concerns known at the very highest level. We intend to grab this opportunity with both hands and to submit both written and oral evidence.

’Our experience in giving evidence to the Transport Committe in connection with the Draft Marine Navigation Bill gives us the confidence that we can present our case with good effect.’

UKHMA Members who intend to make submissions individually to the Transport Committee are requested to copy such documentation to the UKHMA Secretary so that a full dossier of opinion may be compiled.

]]>UKHMAThu, 17 Feb 2011 17:40:18 +0000Marine and Coastal Access Act - Marine Licensing - Government Response to Consultationhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article168
The full Government Response may be viewed on the Defra web site via the External Link below.]]>UKHMATue, 21 Dec 2010 09:29:40 +00001.1% Annual Accident Rate to Port Workers http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article237
This Report was originally published in October 2010, but has only been brought to the attention of the UKHMA recently.

This Statistical Release published by the DfT summarises results from a survey of port authorities and port related businesses carried out for DfT by Databuild during 2009/10.

It covers employment directly involved in commercial port operations or in support of port activities in the UK, both on and off port estates, and also other people employed on port estates whose work is not directly related to port activities.

The effects of indirect and induced employment elsewhere in the economy as a result of port activities are also considered, as is the incidence of accidents reportable to the HSE.

The full Report may be viewed by following the External Website link below.]]>UKHMASun, 13 Feb 2011 20:52:09 +0000CPT Services for Scottish Offshore Wind Farmhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article238
Coastline Surveys recently completed a programme of cone penetrometer tests (CPT) for MMT as part of a seabed survey on Scottish and Southern Energy’s (SSE) proposed Islay and Kintyre wind farm developments off the west coast of Scotland.

Coastline Surveys used their C-Pen40 seabed penetrometer to collect over 70m of in situ geotechnical data from over 20 locations across the two sites spread over only four operational days.

Once processed and interpreted by Coastline’s geotechnical engineers, the data was passed on where it will be used by engineers to support the design of the wind turbine foundations.

C-Pen40 is based around a single wheel Roson drive unit manufactured by A P van den Berg in The Netherlands which has been successfully used worldwide over the past 30 years. On this site, where operating conditions were known to be difficult, the unit worked very well achieving up to 5m of penetration on several stations.]]>UKHMASun, 13 Feb 2011 21:43:06 +0000Ellesmere Port: Regeneration Project Beginshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article243
EllesmerePortPioneer.co.uk16.02.2011

Supported by Cheshire West and Chester Council, work will begin on the Vision and Strategic Regeneration Framework for Ellesmere Port – a plan which will set out economic, social and physical improvements to the town during the next decade.

Housing, the rejuvenation of large areas of unused land and business growth will be priorities, while improving and enhancing existing areas such as the town centre and the waterfront will also be targeted.

Robert Mee, chairman of the Ellesmere Port Development Board, said: “One of the first issues recognised by the board was a need for a clear and overarching vision and strategic framework for the town’s future – capable of stimulating and channelling future investment and development to maximise benefits for the town, its residents and businesses.

“I am very pleased that DTZ are now working with the board and our partners to create a shared vision for the future of the town.]]>UKHMAThu, 17 Feb 2011 10:43:41 +0000UK Marine Licensing Processes to be Upgradedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article246
Fivium and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will work together to deliver a fully centralised system to handle the processing of new marine licences which from 6 April 2011 will replace the multiple licences that currently regulate a number of specific activities in the marine area.

Fivium developed and now maintain the oil and gas portal for the Department of Energy and Climate Change which has been widely praised by the regulated community. The MMO is breaking new ground in adopting an already established, tried and tested system rather than commissioning from new.

The system will allow users to submit applications that cover the entire life of a development. It will also include a broad range of activities – including dredging, construction and offshore wind farms.

Before the introduction of the Marine and Coastal Act 2009, the licensing processes in the marine environment were complex with applicants at times requiring multiple licences and permits before legally being allowed to carry out activities.

The project is scheduled for completion April 2011.

]]>UKHMAThu, 17 Feb 2011 17:22:58 +0000ABPmer develops Western Isles Tidal Modelhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article171
UKHMA Commercial Member ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer), a leading provider of specialist support to the marine renewables sector, has developed a model which offers a detailed description of the hydrodynamic regime across the Western Isles and Northern Ireland territorial waters.

The ABPmer Western Isles Model has been established to offer an accurate representation of tidal flows and can be used to assess areas of interest for potential tidal resource development.

The model grid has been deliberately designed to enable a detailed description in locations of high flows. This has been achieved by applying a high resolution flexi-mesh around headlands and through narrow channels. The model offers the ability to improve the mapping of spatial extents of tidal stream resource sites and can also be applied in support of project consenting and design requirements.

Dr. Claire Hinton, ABPmer’s Senior Marine Renewables Consultant based in Aberdeen said, “This initiative compliments our earlier work in developing the Atlas of UK Marine Renewable Energy Resources and provides an order of magnitude enhancement in our ability to identify and map sites of high flows for potential exploitation by tidal stream devices.

We have taken this initiative in recognition of the emerging opportunities becoming available in this area of strategic interest. The next stage is to publish an overview of this work on the Atlas website (www.renewables-atlas.info).”

The Western Isles Model compliments ABPmer’s expanding suite of services available to the renewable industry, which has recently been enhanced with a metocean forecasting tool: SEASTATES (http://www.seastates.net) and underwater noise services.

]]>UKHMATue, 21 Dec 2010 15:07:27 +0000UKHMA Response to Refresh of National Contingency Plan Invitationhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article236
The purpose of the consultation is to identify issues that may assist in refreshing the Plan , and to review its performance over the last four years.

All comments need to be received by the MCA no later than 22nd February 2011.

THe UKHMA recognises the need for a review of the NCP but quetsions whether an effective consultation may be achieved within the timescale proposed, and at a time when other associated issues - notably the HMCG review consultation, the withdrawal of ETV and MIRG provisions, and changes in the MCA’s Counter Pollution and Salvage Branch - are underway and may impact significantly upon the content of the NCP.

The UKHMA President, Kevin Richardson, has written an open letter to Philip Naylor, Director of Marine Services, MCA, in which he expresses these concerns.

Humber Coastguard immediately contacted the vessel and requested her position and a description of the casualty whilst at the same time launching the Hartlepool All Weather Lifeboat and the two inshore lifeboats from Redcar.

The pilot vessel ‘Coatham’ then contacted Humber Coastguard and informed them that they were half a mile from the casualty and were en route. When the Coatham arrived on scene the man overboard was spotted clinging to the anchor chain of the Harlequin.

The casualty was taken on board the pilot vessel, checked out by the crew and taken ashore to the Tees Harbour Master’s office where an Ambulance was waiting to check the casualty. The casualty, although cold and shaken, was reported to be well and was taken back to the Harlequin by the pilot vessel.

Trade through Belfast Harbour has increased for the first time in three years. Figures show that freight tonnages through the port grew by over 5% last year to 16.5m tonnes. They had fallen by 10% since 2007 as a result of the recession.

There were big increases in the import of grain and animal feed. Stone exports were up by 47% most of it for road repairs in England and Scotland.

The severe winter weather meant salt exports went up by nearly 240%.

Timber products fell by 32% to 82,000 tonnes, the lowest since 1985, while cement imports fell to 48,000, a tenth of the volume being brought in at their peak in 2001.

Passenger numbers remained static at 1.3m, while 35 cruise ships called at Belfast carrying 62,000 passengers and crew.

’A weapon of mass destruction was found in the U.S.’: Shock confession of Customs officerBy DAVID GARDNER

A port official has admitted that a ’weapon of mass effect’ has been found by ’partner agencies’ in the U.S., raising major questions over a possible government cover-up.

The disturbing revelation came in an interview with San Diego’s assistant port director screened by a television channel in the city.

The Customs and Border Protection Department tried to dampen speculation over his remarks, but doubts remained over whether he had inadvertently revealed a dirty bomb plot to attack the U.S. mainland.

Concern over a secret WMD bust came after U.S. cables made public by the Wikileaks whistleblower website revealed terror groups were plotting a ’nuclear 911.’

In the interview screened by San Diego’s 10News, Al Hallor, assistant San Diego port director, said ‘weapons of mass effect’ had been found, although he did not specify exactly where or what they were.

To view the full interview video, follow the External Website link below.

Photo: Assistant port director Al Hallor admits on camera ’weapons of mass effect’ have been found at locations in the U.S.]]>UKHMAMon, 14 Feb 2011 12:54:18 +0000New Year Honour for BPA Directorhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article176
The UKHMA President, Kevin Richardson, has sent a letter of congratulation on behalf of the Association.]]>UKHMATue, 04 Jan 2011 12:30:18 +0000Ports Partnership Project Steering Group Updatehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article179
See attached file for full details.

]]>UKHMATue, 04 Jan 2011 16:46:31 +0000Teesport: Major Milestone Reached and Expansion Planshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article180
PD Ports has announced it has reached another major milestone at Teesport – handling its 150,000 container through its container terminals for the first time in history within a calendar year.

This review is timely for several reasons. The Gulf of Mexico incident in particular has raised new questions over the use of dispersants; for example the subsea injection of dispersants at a wellhead.

More generally, UK oil spill contingency and response is going through a period of self-examination and renewal. This review will ensure that the Approval Scheme is kept up todate with the new National Contingency Plan and ongoing work by oil & gas review groups.

To ensure the Oil Spill Treatment Product Approval Scheme review addresses all pertinent issues, UKHMA Members are invited to suggest questions, supported by an explanation of their relevance.

All responses will be treated in confidence, and will be considered for inclusion into the review. Deadline for submissions for initial scoping exercise is close of play on Friday 28th January. The subsequent review will be open for a period of a further six weeks ending 18th March (provisional).

]]>UKHMATue, 04 Jan 2011 14:04:11 +0000ABP Southampton: Record Six Cruise Ships in One Dayhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article182
ABP Southampton welcomed Fred Olsen’s Balmoral and Black Watch; P&O’s Arcadia; Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria; and Saga Cruises’ Saga Ruby in the early hours of Tuesday, 5 January. The vessels will bring 18,000 passengers through the port and boost the local economy by an estimated £9m.

Doug Morrison, Port Director ABP Southampton, said: “With six cruise ships in port – more than ever before in the port’s history – over 500 staff have been working exceptionally hard across the terminals providing a warm welcome to passengers.

“With every cruise ship that calls at the port generating approximately £1.5 million to the regional economy this really does start the year off on a high, and 2011 is looking to be one of our busiest years yet with over 350 cruise ships booked into the port so far; that’s an increase of over 50 calls on 2010! This is excellent news; we will continue to work with all operators involved in the industry and are committed to ensuring passengers start and end their holiday in a relaxing manner.” ]]>UKHMAWed, 05 Jan 2011 17:23:11 +0000PMSC: Steering Group; Dec 2010 meeting; Final Minutes - REVISED TEXThttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article185
The Final Minutes of Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) Steering Group meeting of 1 December 2010, at the DfT, London, are attached here.

Aberdeen Harbour has appointed two new members to its Board. George Massie and Fred Bowden began their tenure on 1st January 2011 and will serve for an initial period of three years.

To read full story follow External Website link below.]]>UKHMAWed, 12 Jan 2011 12:02:32 +0000Felixstowe: Transport Minister Inaugurates New Cranehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article187
(pictured), has formally inaugurated the latest new crane to be installed at the Port of Felixstowe’s South Rail Terminal.

The new crane is the latest of a series of investments made by Hutchison Ports at the South Rail Terminal. These have included extending the length of the terminal to accommodate longer trains, replacing older handling equipment and relaying some of the tracks.

Following a meeting with senior managers at the port, the Minister ceremonially loaded a container to a freight train at the South Terminal, one of two rail freight terminals at the UK’s largest container port.

For full story, follow the External Website link below.]]>UKHMAWed, 12 Jan 2011 14:39:27 +0000Trelleborg Marine: Burden of Managing Operational Riskhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article188
Trelleborg Marine System’s poll reveals that a third of port operators, contractors and consultants are spending more, or even the majority, of their time managing operational risk.

The results are hardly surprising given that one in five admit there has been an increase in disputes over the last 12 months.

]]>UKHMAWed, 12 Jan 2011 17:05:21 +0000Portsmouth: New Name for Commercial Porthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article189
No longer will passenger’s head to the “Continental Ferry Port”. From January both cruise and ferry customers will be departing and arriving at “Portsmouth International Port”.

The new name reflects the increasingly important role Portsmouth is playing on the international shipping stage. Dredging work that begins in January will allow larger ships to arrive and depart at different states of tide. This is good news for a new generation of ferries and cruise ships, and it also makes Portsmouth the first European Port of call for heavily laden cargo ships.

2011 will see up to 40 cruise ships calling at Portsmouth, a huge increase on 2010 which had 11 cruise ship calls. At the same time, Portsmouth will also be welcoming more freight ships with the recent announcement that Del Monte is making the Port its UK base.

The new terminal is part of a £16.5 million investment in new and improved passenger facilities at the Port. Designed to include the latest eco friendly technologies, the new terminal will be the first of its kind in the country to be heated and cooled by thermal energy from the sea.

With the name change also comes a new logo that reflects the Port’s modern outlook. Taking the sea as its inspiration the Port’s new logo is both contemporary and easily recognisable. The nautical theme is present in the colour and design of the wave.

The biblical story of Noah has inspired the creation of Portsmouth’s very own ark.

Forget giraffes and lions, though, because the weird and wonderful creatures on this vessel will be gulls, seals and whales.

The Langstone Ark will be an online pictorial catalogue of every species seen in Langstone Harbour, from Eastney, to Farlington Marshes to Hayling Island.

The Langstone Harbour Board, which runs the harbour, is inviting people to take pictures of animals they see in the harbour.

All users of the harbour, whether they be dog walkers, fishermen or residents looking out of the window, are being urged to take part.

]]>UKHMATue, 18 Jan 2011 13:54:49 +0000ABP Hull: Preferred Bidder for UK Wind Turbine Factoryhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article192
The parties have agreed to work together to develop plans for the construction of a new Siemens offshore wind turbine manufacturing and export facility at the Port with the aim of executing definitive agreements in 2011.]]>UKHMAThu, 20 Jan 2011 09:46:36 +0000Great Yarmouth: Giant Rig Arrives in Outer Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article195
EDP 2420.1.2011

The arrival of a giant jack-up gas rig at Great Yarmouth’s outer harbour this week has been hailed as a massive boost for the local economy.

Spectators looked on as tugs carefully brought the Noble Julie Robertson into the £80m port for a refurbishment likely to take several weeks.

EastPort UK’s chief executive Eddie Freeman hailed the significance of Geneva-based Noble Corporation, one of the world’s largest offshore drilling contractors, choosing Yarmouth for the work.

“Without the outer harbour, this impressive jack-up rig would have bypassed Yarmouth and probably even the UK, heading instead for Europe,” he said.

“Noble’s decision to use Yarmouth has not only reinforced the value of the outer harbour but also Yarmouth’s position as England’s number one offshore energy support port.

“I understand Noble has awarded significant contracts for the refurbish-ment of the rig to local companies and the breadth and depth of skills and experience in the area was a significant factor in coming to Yarmouth.”

The rig has been deployed for the past 10 years in the southern North Sea carrying out exploration work and servicing existing wells for a number of operators. The rig has a crew of between 60 and 98 personnel.

Local companies contracted for the refurbishment include those involved in fabrication, drilling, tubular maintenance, lifeboat overhaul and repair, non-destructive testing, freight forwarding and storage.

It is understood the contracts are worth more than £3m to the local economy.

To view full story, follow the External Website link below.]]>UKHMAThu, 20 Jan 2011 12:12:55 +0000Birkenhead: Detained Vessel - ‘A Disgrace’http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article201
Most Sky a disgrace, as its owner refuses to make the upgrades needed to allow it to sail.

Nautilus International and ITF inspector Tommy Molloy have been supporting the crews onboard since the cargo ship was originally detained in the UK in early November last year [in Birkenhead].

Mr Molloy is now pressing the authorities for urgent action to ensure appropriate care and protection for the mixed nationality seafarers onboard the Panama-registered Most Sky who, he says, have effectively been abandoned by the ship’s Turkish owners.

‘The situation is appalling, and it is made even worse by the reluctance of many key players to get involved in order to discharge their responsibilities for the unfortunate crew,’ Mr Molloy said.

The 1,972gt vessel was detained with major problems including a lack of maintenance of the ship and equipment, a very dirty engine room, fuel oil leaks, unsigned records of rest, no heating, an unclean galley, insufficient fruit and vegetables onboard, dirty crew showers and toilets and out of date lifejacket lights.

‘There are good grounds for serious concern over the physical and mental health of some of the seafarers,’ continued Mr Molloy.

‘Some of the crew want to go home, but they are worried sick about the prospect of returning without any wages.

‘The plight of the crew raises broad questions about who – in the absence of goodwill from the local community, charities and the unions – is actually responsible for the wellbeing of the crew when a vessel is detained due to the glaring lack of responsibility shown by the owner.’]]>UKHMAMon, 24 Jan 2011 13:37:33 +0000Stornoway: Harbour Rates Reviewed After Consultationhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article204
Stornoway Gazette25.1.2011

After numerous representations from harbour users following the release of the Stornoway Port Authority’s 2011 Harbour Rates and Dues earlier this week – some of which saw increases of over 50 per cent – the Authority have reviewed the situation.

And having further consulted with harbour user representatives, the Authority has agreed that the harbour dues for Stornoway for 2011 will be the 2010 levels plus R.P.I of 4.64 per cent.

A revised version of the 2011 Schedule of Rates and Dues will be made available to harbour users as soon as possible.

In a statement, the Authority add: “A harbour dues review consultation will continue to be progressed over the course of the next six months and the outcome of the review will be reflected in the Schedule of Rates and Dues 2012.”

It is anticipated that the 2012 Schedule of Rates and Dues will be available to harbour users in the autumn.]]>UKHMATue, 25 Jan 2011 11:35:42 +0000Shetland: Union raises stakes in pilot disputehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article212
The Shetland News26.1.2011

SHETLAND’S entire economy could be put at risk if the local council goes ahead with plans to replace marine staff at the oil port of Sullom Voe with untrained replacements, according to trade union Unite.

On 5 January Shetland Islands Council gave tanker pilots at Sullom Voe 90 days to accept a new contract of employment which would raise their retirement age from 60 to 65.

The move followed lengthy negotiations to squeeze port staff into the council’s single status agreement that was settled with the majority of the council 18 months ago.

Further talks are to take place with the pilots and the crews who operate pilot boats and tugs in the harbour.

However those talks have been soured by reports the council has approached a major recruitment agency for pilots who could work at Sullom Voe at short notice.

To view full story, follow the External Website link below.]]>UKHMAFri, 28 Jan 2011 13:26:25 +0000PD Teesport: Container Terminal Expansion Commenceshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article216
County Durham based, Hall Construction Services Limited, successfully won the tender to carry out the civil works at Teesport, which are expected to be completed by late autumn. The works involve the complete reconstruction of over five hectares of terminal area with new heavy duty paving designed to withstand the increased loads from the container stacks and the new cranes, which are also being purchased as part of the project.

This is the first phase of expanding Teesport’s container terminal capacity to 450,000 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit), from its current capacity of 235,000 TEU – an investment of over £15M. Subsequent phases will be investigated subject to volume growth and market stability. The port’s overall strategy is to expand port wide capacity, including RoRo traffic, to at least 650,000 TEU, which will position Teesport as a major player in the container market.

“We are delighted to see this expansion project moving forward. This latest investment, which will potentially involve some £29M of total investment, signifies a long term commitment to our unitised business, on the back of major growth opportunities. This will further improve performance and productivity for the port’s growing number of customers,” stated David Robinson, PD Ports’ Group chief executive officer.

“We are delighted to have won this prestigious project, which continues our long standing relationship with PD Ports going back over 20 years. We look forward to providing a first class facility as part of the ongoing investment at the port, which will create around 60 construction jobs during the course of the project,” added Stephen Hall, Hall Construction Services Ltd’s managing director.

In January PD Ports announced a year on year growth in excess of 45 percent at the Teesport container terminals, adding that port bosses expected to see this growth continue to climb in 2011 as its container handling expansion plans took shape. This latest investment is expected to help position Teesport as one of the UK’s major container hubs.

Photo: David Robinson, PD Ports’ Group chief executive officer and Tim Barrick, business development manager, Hall Construction Services Limited at Teesport where expansion of the container terminals is underway.]]>UKHMATue, 01 Feb 2011 17:36:20 +0000Belfast: Leading the Way in Green Energyhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article220
Belfast Telegraph1/2/2011

Northern Ireland is set to become a world leader in the production of renewable energy facilities.

Belfast Harbour and Danish firm DONG Energy have signed a letter of intent to use Belfast Harbour as a base for constructing thousands of giant turbines for off-shore wind farms, providing a much needed boost to the local economy.

The Harbour is set to fund and build a new £40m, 450-metre quay and 50-acre building space, roughly twice the size of Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, on the Co Down side of the Harbour.

The massive project is expected to create up to 300 full time jobs on completion and 150 construction posts during building.

To view full story, follow External Website link below.

Photo caption: Dong power: An artist’s impression of how the energy site would transform a 50-acre area of Belfast Harbour.]]>UKHMAWed, 02 Feb 2011 12:41:21 +0000Belfast: Warning Against Budget Levyhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article221
BBC News N Ireland2/2/2011

Belfast Harbour Commissioners have said that any proposal by the NI Executive to take extra revenue from the Harbour estate is not currently possible.

It is understood the executive is looking at a possible levy, which would raise £125m over the next four years.

Len O’Hagan, the chairman of the commissioners said any such decision would require a change in legislation across the UK.

He said that the Scottish Parliament was facing similar hurdles.

"All trust ports in the United Kingdom are subject to the same legislation," Mr O’Hagan said.

"Even in the DRD (Department for Regional Development) suggestion that maybe in two or four years time, some contribution could be made, they recognise that it will need a change in legislation."]]>UKHMAWed, 02 Feb 2011 12:57:01 +0000Port State Control: 8 Ships Detained in UK Watershttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article219
Maritime & Coastguard Agency01/02/2011

8 FOREIGN SHIPS UNDER DETENTION IN THE UK DURING DECEMBER 2010

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced today that 8 foreign flagged ships were under detention in UK ports during December 2010 after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection.

Latest monthly figures show that there were 3 new detentions of foreign flagged ships in UK ports during December 2010 and 5 vessels under detention from previous months. The overall rate of detentions compared with inspections carried out over the last twelve months was 2.87% this is slightly down from Novembers twelve month rate.

Out of the detained vessels 3 were registered with flag states listed on the Paris MOU white list, 3 were registered with flag states on the grey list 1 was registered with a flag state on the black list and 1 was unregistered.

1. In response to one of the recommendations of Lord Donaldsons Inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping and in compliance with the EU Directive on Port State Control (95/21/EC as amended), the Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA) publishes full details of the foreign flagged vessels detained in UK ports each month.

2. Inspections of foreign flagged ships in UK ports are undertaken by surveyors from the MCA. Where a ship is found to be deficient or lacks the required documentation, MCA surveyors can take a range of actions leading to detention in serious cases. The UK is part of a regional agreement on port state control known as the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU) and information on all ships that are inspected is held centrally in an electronic database known as SIReNaC. This allows the ships of flags with poor detention records to be targeted for future inspection.

3. Detained ships have to satisfy surveyors that remedial work has been carried out before they are allowed to leave port.

4. When applicable the list includes those passenger craft prevented from operating under the provisions of the EU Directive on Mandatory Surveys for the safe operation of regular Ro-Ro ferry and high speed passenger craft services (1999/35/EU).Notes on the list of detentions

• Full details of the ship.

• The accompanying detention list shows ships name, the flag state and the ships International Maritime Organization (IMO) number which is unchanging throughout the ships life and uniquely identifies it.

• Company.

• The company shown in the vessels Safety Management Certificate or the party otherwise believed to be responsible for the safety of the ship at the time of inspection.

• Classification Society.

• The list shows the Classification Society responsible for classing the ship and not necessarily the party issuing and/or carrying out surveys for certificates relevant to the defect found.

• Recognised Organisation.

• The organisation - responsible for conducting the statutory surveys: and issuing statutory certificates, (on behalf of the Flag State).

• Defects.

• The list gives a summary of the main grounds for detention and includes information where the ship has been released to sail to another port for repairs.

Vessels detained in December includedA 1,949 GT. ship was detained in Belfast with 19 deficiencies and 4 grounds for detention. The manning arrangements were not in accordance with the Safe Manning Document (SMD) with respect to the engineer. The SMD requires a Chief Engineer on board and the current engineer was only qualified as a 2/E. The Nº 1 fire pump and the main engine auxiliary gear box pump were not operational. This vessel had been previously detained once during 2008 and again during 2009.

The vessel was detained in Belfast because 7 grounds for detention had been identified including 3 major non conformities which were: the emergency preparedness; the maintenance of ship and equipment and documentation; which were not as per the Merchant Shipping Regulations. In addition the fire doors and dampers were not functioning correctly and the BA set was inoperative. Other deficiencies identified included: the cargo information manual was incomplete, instructions were missing for the dangerous goods code and there was insufficient documentation in respect of bulk cargoes.The vessel was still detained at 31/12/2010.

The vessel was detained in Portland for 14 days because the hull had cracked in 2 places on the starboard side. Other deficiencies identified included: a number of engine room sounding pipes self closing devices were not functioning; engine room bilges aft of the main engine were covered with oil residue; the galley & cold rooms were dirty and there was insufficient segregation of food items, in addition at the time of inspection there were numerous fire zones isolated without a reason given.The vessel was released from detention on 16/12/2010.

The vessel was detained in Belfast because the chief engineer was not qualified as per the flag state safe manning document. The safe manning document requires a chief engineer on board however the engineer on board was only a 2nd engineer, the main engine auxiliary gear box pump and the Nº 1 fire pump were not operational.Other deficiencies identified included: the main engine heating system was not as required; 2 VHF hand held radios were not working; temporary wiring in the galley needed repairing ; various light fittings throughout the vessel were missing and it was apparent during the boat drill the crew lacked training.The vessel was still detained at 31/12/2010.

The vessel was detained in Lowestoft because the main fire pump was inoperative and there was no alternative fire pump outside the machinery space. There were insufficient liferafts, the sanitary water system was inoperative and there was no fresh running water to the galley, pantry and shower room. There were no nautical publications and charts were incomplete for the operational area.Other deficiencies found were insufficient provisions for the intended voyage and medicines were out of date. In addition the following items were found to be missing:distress flares; line throwing appliances; lifebuoys; life jackets with lights; immersion suits; satellite EPIRB (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon); fire extinguishers and the fire hose nozzle.The vessel was still detained at 30/12/2010.

The vessel was detained in Portsmouth because the ship was dangerously unsafe as the engine room bilge wells were full of thick black oil and other parts of the engine room were also covered in oil; the engine room bilge alarm system was in a permanent alarm mode, also the main engine cooler discharge pipe was holed. Other deficiencies identified: included: both the fire doors of the reefer machinery space did not close properly; the radio log was not as required in respect of recording that MH/HF test calls had been carried out; several small engine room floor plates were missing and lagging was missing on several steam and fuel pipes, valves and filters.The vessel was still detained at 30/12/2010

The vessel was detained in Birkenhead because the engine room was very dirty, there were fuel oil leaks and a major non conformity was identified with respect to the lack of maintenance of the ship and equipment.Other deficiencies identified included: the crew/officers records of rest were not signed; the crew accommodation was no longer provided with steam heating; the galley needed cleaning; there was insufficient fruit and vegetables on board; the crew showers and toilets were dirty and the shower curtains missing and the laundry washing facilities were inadequate. In addition the lifejacket lights were out of date; the aft deck was slippery underneath the deck generator and several fire doors were tied open.The vessel was still detained at 31/12/2010.

The vessel was detained in Portland for 5 days because the fire drill showed a lack of training and was not to an acceptable standard. The number and nature of the deficiencies identified was indicative of a failing of the SMS. Deficiencies identified included: the rescue boat drill was not up to standard; 2 inflatable life jackets were not ready for use as they were outside their service time; gas cylinders had been stored on the aft deck instead of a suitable area; the crew were not familiar with the stability and book limitations they were also unfamiliar with the CO² system.The vessel was released on 03/12/2010.]]>UKHMAWed, 02 Feb 2011 10:22:08 +0000East Anglia: Coastal Change Report Publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article222
Coastal change in East Anglia: new report available from The Crown Estate.This report has been funded by The Crown Estate and contains the results of a study undertaken by Robin McInnes and Hope Stubbings. The study area comprises the open coastline of the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, between King’s Lynn in the north and Felixstowe in the south.

It is well known that there is a range of techniques available to assist understanding of coastal evolution and the natural processes associated with dynamic coastlines, such as that of East Anglia. Unfortunately, there are few locations where records of the monitoring of coastal change exist before the middle of the 20th century. However, landscape painters generally create images that we can understand and appreciate and the coastline has been an important source of inspiration for artists, particularly since the late 18th century. Consequently, there is a wealth of artwork that can be examined as to how it might contribute to the understanding of coastal change. Works of art are also something which coastal stakeholders can readily relate to and historically the coastline has an inherent attraction for residents and visitors.

This study required the identification and assessment of 868 works of art produced between 1770 and 1940 by 237 East Anglian artists. The large number of works was assessed by means of a set of criteria and a ranking system so as to produce a shortlist of artists whose works present a reliable assessment of coastal conditions at the time they were produced. The outcomes of the study include a new insight into both social and environmental change along the East Anglian coast.

A proposed £20 million project to redevelop part of Dunbar harbour could see its all-weather RNLI lifeboat return to a permanent base in the town – decreasing response times to emergencies at sea by up to 15 minutes.

Dunbar Harbour Trust is due to submit plans to East Lothian Council to introduce a 130-metre breakwater, extending from the harbour entrance.

This would help control tidal movement and sea swell – creating a 24-hour ‘safe haven’ and keeping a more consistent water level within the harbour itself.

It would mean that the all-weather Trent class lifeboat, the ‘John Neville Taylor’ – currently based at Torness – could be relocated to the town on a permanent basis for the first time in about two decades.

Water levels in the harbour currently drop so low that for a couple of hours per day the large, all-weather lifeboat would run aground if located there.

Through this website, ESPO manages the EcoPorts network of ports and offers the opportunity to port authorities within its broad membership to use the well-established EcoPorts tools, Self Diagnosis Method (SDM) and Port Environmental Review System (PERS). SDM and PERS have been updated and re-launched as part of the services ESPO offers to its members.

The new EcoPorts portal incorporates SDM as an online-based tool and provides visibility and credit to port authorities that achieve and maintain an “Ecoports port” status. The latter is achieved by any port registering within the new system and completing the online SDM questionnaire, contributing in this way to the up-to-date maintenance of the European benchmark of performance in port environmental management. Furthermore, the “Ecoports port” status allows ports to access, implement and get certified by PERS, the only port sector specific environmental management standard.]]>UKHMAWed, 23 Feb 2011 15:29:53 +0000ABPmer: Free Conservation Zone Planning Toolhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article255
The UK Marine & Coastal Access Act and Marine (Scotland) Act provide for the identification, designation and management of a network of MCZs (and equivalent Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Scottish territorial waters) to protect nationally rare/threatened and representative habitats and species and features of geological and geomorphological importance.

Marxan is a commonly used tool to inform conservation network planning. However, until now the inputting of common boundary lengths of neighboring planning cells to Marxan has been a manual and laborious process. To support its application of Marxan to various marine conservation planning studies, ABPmer has developed a customised GIS geo-processing tool and is pleased to make this freely available to the wider Marxan community.

The Marxan Tool can be FREELY downloaded from the External Website link below.]]>UKHMAWed, 23 Feb 2011 15:42:36 +0000ABP Southampton: Go Ahead for £80M container terminal developmenthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article256
On completion, the redeveloped quay will be 500m in length with a 16m draft and capable of handling the largest container vessels afloat today.

Port Director Doug Morrison welcomed the news, saying: “This consent allows us to press forward with important works at Berths 201/2. With the size of container vessels continuing to increase, the container terminal can no longer accommodate four of the largest container ships simultaneously – this development will rectify that situation by creating the “lost” fourth berth.”

The main works, which will involve an investment of approximately £80 million, will commence on site in September 2012 with completion anticipated by the end of 2013.

The consent was received at the same time as Network Rail completed extensive works to upgrade the rail capacity for containers moving between the port and the West Coast Mainline.

]]>UKHMAThu, 24 Feb 2011 11:47:44 +0000UKHMA Invited to ETV Review Meetinghttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article257
Following on from earlier high level discussions with the MCA, the UKHMA has received an invitation from the Director of Marine Services, Philip Naylor, to participate in a review of the proposed withdrawal of Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) cover in UK waters.

The meeting, to be held at the Chamber of Shipping on 11 March, offers the MCA "an opportunity to present the current position and facilitate discussions among the interested parties and to consider options that will be available following the withdrawal of the tugs".

See Attached file for copy of the letter of invitation, list of other attendees and meeting agenda.

In view of the interest in this issue already expressed by numerous Members, and as only one representative per organisation is invited to attend the meeting, a new Forum thread is open on which comments may be posted for consideration by our representative, Kevin Richardson, UKHMA President.]]>UKHMAThu, 24 Feb 2011 12:03:09 +0000HM Coastguard Review: Additional Background Information Availablehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article258
www.mcga.gov.uk28 February 2011

The UKHMA have received the following update from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency:

On 16th December we published our consultation on modernisation of the Coastguard. Since then we have added additional background information to the consultation webpage. This background information includes risk assessments, our answers to the freedom of information questions asked (FOI), and ’Questions & Answers’ arising from internal meetings. You may find it useful to review this information before you respond.

Our consultation closes at 5pm on 24th March 2011. All responses will then be considered by an independent review team. If you have already submitted your response please ignore this reminder, if not we look forward to hearing from you.

Port Skills and Safety (PSS_ is custodian of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for ports. The portfolio includes NOS for Harbour Masters. These were reviewed and re-drafted in 2010 as they were over 5 years old.

The revised version was offered out to PSS members and other stakeholders for consultation and a final version was produced as a result of the consultation feedback.

The report below shows the information gathered in the consultation and the changes that were made as a consequence.

The final version of the Harbour Master NOS is now being submitted for approval by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. Once this approval has been given the new Harbour Master NOS will be loaded onto the national database.

We would like to sincerely thank all of those who took the time to contribute. We believe that we have a better product as a result.

During Transport questions today (10th March) Mike Penning, the Minister with responsibility for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, announced an extension for submission of written responses to the consultation on the proposals for modernising the Coastguard service. The extension will run for six weeks until 5 May.

Because this is a complex and sensitive issue, a decision was taken to give those affected by the proposals the greatest possible opportunity to contribute to the debate, particularly those who are currently developing detailed submissions.

If you have already responded to the proposals this extension does not affect your response.

If you have not yet responded and would like to do so you can find the consultation document, answers to FOI question and risk assessments on the consultation pages of the MCGA website, by following the link below.]]>UKHMAThu, 10 Mar 2011 18:26:30 +0000EC Issues Environmental Guidelines for Portshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article273
The document makes particular reference to port development and dredging and is commonly referred to as the ‘port environmental guidelines’. The guidelines are accompanied by a Commission working paper which puts the recommendations in a policy context.

Both documents are accessible through the website of the European Commission (see External Website link below).]]>UKHMAFri, 18 Mar 2011 11:53:39 +0000EC to Review Pilotage Exemption Certificateshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article274
The primary purpose of the study is to obtain a comprehensive picture of legislative framework and procedures on granting of the pilotage exemption certificates in Member States.

Furthermore, the purpose is to get actual and reliable information on the impacts of the exemptions to maritime safety and environment, turnaround times of ships and costs and benefits to the shipping industry.

Finally, this study will provide information for the Commission’s assessment of the need for a legal framework for granting of PECs in the EU.

The study is expected to start during summer 2011 while the report is expected to be ready in spring 2012.

See the External Website link below for additional information on the issue.

Responding to unprecedented growth in new clients and marine sectors, Coastline Surveys Ltd are delighted to announce the appointment of Neil Northmore as Legal and Commercial Manager.

Whilst originally qualifying as a marine surveyor at Plymouth he later retrained and qualified as a UK practicing Solicitor. Neil has extensive experience in the marine industry including working for the Royal Yachting Association as Government Affairs Advisor and closely with the British Marine Federation, co-founding Dorade Law and later working at Michelmores Solicitors in a senior role in the Marine Department.

He has achieved particular specialisations in contract development, corporate structuring and dispute resolution within many aspects of the marine industries.

Coastline Surveys is one of the fastest-growing, privately owned marine survey companies in the UK and offers a full range of services to all marine sectors including offshore oil and gas, emerging marine renewable energies, ports, harbours and marinas, marine minerals and aggregates and near shore coastal civil engineering. With the experience gained from 20 years in business, Coastline Surveys has developed in-house capabilities, tailored equipment and added-value procedures to meet the precise survey needs of Clients. Commencing in 2009 Coastline Surveys undertook to expand in-house capabilities in marine geotechnical site investigations in response to a broad range of applications worldwide and including acquiring and developing new high power vibrocore and CPT capabilities. The appointment of Neil will ensure that Coastline Surveys are contractually confident as it enters into new markets, taking on larger international contracts and acquisitions.

Dr David Hitchcock, Managing Director of Coastline Surveys Ltd commented; “I am delighted that Neil has joined our skilled team at this exciting time in our development, he is the ideal candidate to provide the corporate guidance as we continue to grow and enter into new markets, increasing our ability to deliver an outstanding service to both a geographically and sector based wider Client base.”]]>UKHMATue, 22 Mar 2011 17:07:22 +0000Forth Ports: Offer Accepted from Otter Portshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article276
Under the terms of the Offer, Forth Ports Shareholders will be entitled to receive 1,630 pence in cash for each Forth Ports Share. In addition, Forth Ports Shareholders will be entitled to receive and retain the proposed final dividend of 20 pence per share expected to be paid on 13 May 2011 to Forth Ports Shareholders on the register at the close of business on 15 April 2011.

The Offer, together with the proposed final dividend of 20 pence per share, values Forth Ports’ entire existing issued and to be issued share capital at approximately £760 million.

Otter Ports is a newly-incorporated company, formed for the purpose of implementing the Offer, and is wholly-owned by Arcus through its subsidiary AEIF LH Sub 03 S.à.r.l. Arcus, an unlisted fund, makes long-term infrastructure investments throughout the European area. It currently holds approximately 22.8 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Forth Ports.

Forth Ports owns and operates eight UK commercial ports and associated land, including the Port of Tilbury (Gateway to London) and seven ports on Scotland’s east coast, along the Forth Estuary and at Dundee. Forth Ports also operates a recycling business, Nordic, at Chatham in Kent, and Tilbury.]]>UKHMAWed, 23 Mar 2011 13:00:50 +0000Plymouth: Fine for Drink-Drive Masterhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article277
This is Devon23/3/2011

The captain of a cargo ship leaving Plymouth was three times the legal alcohol limit, a court heard.

Plymouth magistrates were told that the 88-metre Beaumaiden dropped anchor in the Sound after a pilot smelt booze on skipper Vladimir Kravchenko’s breath.

MoD police boarded the ship carrying English china clay and arrested the Ukranian.

Kravchenko (pictured, aged 38, admitted being a professional master of the Beaumaiden having consumed so much alcohol that the amount in his breath was 118 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath on Sunday. The legal limit is 35.

But his solicitor, Ken Papenfus, said that he was playing no part in the navigation or steering of the ship which was left in the hands of the first officer.

Mr Papenfus said that it was a ’strict liability’ offence, meaning that a captain over the limit in UK waters was guilty.

* We are advised by UKHMA Member Capt. Tim Charlesworth (Cattewater) that a similar offence in 2005 attracted a fine of £2000.]]>UKHMAWed, 23 Mar 2011 16:53:29 +0000Appraisal of Draft Plan for Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article278
The Scottish Government has prepared a draft Plan which considers the potential of Scottish Territorial Waters to accommodate Offshore Wind Energy. ABPmer was commissioned to complete a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) of this Plan in accordance with the requirements of the EC Habitats Directive.

Dr Stephen Hull, Director ABPmer, said: “Based on established guidance for undertaking Plan-level HRAs, ABPmer carried out an auditable assessment process to determine whether the Plan will have a ‘likely significant effect’ on sites designated for their nature conservation interest at a European Level and then assessed whether the integrity of these sites will be adversely affected.

Where it could not be determined that there would be no adverse effect on integrity then mitigation measures were identified for each of the impact pathways to seek to avoid any adverse effect. Adopting a precautionary approach, as required by the Habitats Directive, the study considered potential impacts to over 370 designated sites which were screened into the assessment, including sites as far away as Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic, England and Wales for some species of marine birds.”

The Appraisal will inform the Appropriate Assessment that Marine Scotland, as competent authority, needs to prepare prior to adopting the draft Plan for Offshore Wind Energy.

All related HRA documents can be downloaded from the Marine and Fisheries page of the Scottish Government website by following the External Website link below.

Marine Scotland’s Offshore Wind Plan and Post Adoption Statement have also been published at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marineenergy/wind

Mounted on a former lighthouse structure dating back to 1841, the new LED lantern replaces a conventional incandescent beacon. It shows a red light with a 5 second flash and has a night time visual range of 9NM.

Tideland also supplied a battery box and two 12V batteries to provide back-up power for up to 96 hours in the event of an interruption in the mains supply.

Reportedly, Whitehaven chose Tideland’s high-intensity LED technology with its advanced power conditioning circuitry, because it delivers extremely high reliability and long service life with minimal energy consumption. An additional factor, in this instance, was the compact, attractive design of the lantern, which was considered to be very much in keeping with the recent redevelopment of the harbour.

The port was one of the largest and most important in England in the 17th and 18th centuries, with the original harbour dating back to the 16th century. Between 1993 and 2008 a major reconstruction was undertaken to conserve historical features and develop a modern marina for leisure sailors and also provide exceptional fishing industry infrastructure. Whitehaven is now the dominant fishing port of the west coast exporting product as far away as Spain. Further work is underway to increase the number of berths for leisure boats.

Approved to ISO 9001:2008, Tideland Signal Limited is a British-based member of the Tideland group of companies, which specializes in the design and manufacture of aids to marine navigation. The Tideland group is independently owned and has its headquarters in Houston, Texas.]]>UKHMAMon, 28 Mar 2011 17:23:38 +0100Tyne: Visit by Transport Ministerhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article283
The visit provided the opportunity for the Minister to see some of the recent major investments at the Port, where over £100m has been invested in recent years to ensure the Port remains vibrant and sustainable.

The visit follows the recent visit by Shipping Minister Mike Penning who took a tour of the port in February.

The Port of Tyne has invested more than £100m into its 600 acre site spanning both banks of the Tyne at North and South Shields. The Port recently opened the biggest biomass storage and handling facility in Europe and has become one of the busiest Ports for handling cars.

A third car terminal was opened last year and car import and export numbers reached record levels, with over 500,000 cars moving through the Port of Tyne in 2010.

Major works to deepen Riverside Quay means the Port is now receiving some of the world’s largest bulk cargo vessels and its container business is also growing rapidly - on track to have its most successful year yet – with many goods transported on to their final destination by the Port’s own distribution fleet.

To read the full article, follow the External Website link below.

Picture shows Transport Minister Theresa Villiers and Andrew Moffat, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Tyne]]>UKHMAThu, 24 Mar 2011 17:18:10 +0000MEP Calls for ETV Risk assessmenthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article288
In a strongly worded letter, Ms Bearder states that she believes the decision may be taking a great risk with the environmental security of the UK’s coastline and seeks reassurances on a number of issues.

Of particular concern to Ms Bearder is the lack of early consultation with the shipping industry and whether a risk assessment had taken place to back up the government’s decision.

The full letter may be viewed by following the Attached file link below.]]>UKHMASun, 03 Apr 2011 23:13:46 +0100NEM Changes to HMShttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article289
The Harbour Management Solutions team, together with its associates, now provides a portfolio of services covering:

Commenting on the announcement, Alèxe Finlay, Managing Director, said: ’Whatever your harbour or port needs we would like to discuss with you how we can help your business operate and develop - smoothly, compliantly and with all risks appropriately managed.

’We have offices on Teesside and in Hampshire, but operate and train UK wide and with wider European experience.

’We look forward to hearing from you and working with you in the near future.’

For further information, follow the External Link below.

]]>UKHMAMon, 04 Apr 2011 14:26:57 +0100MMO: Newsletter for Marine Planning and Licensing in the Easthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article292
The latest Newsletter brings information on development of the process for delivery of Marine Plans, events in the East area and any other important marine planning updates.

The submission, which remains confidential until officially accepted by the Transport Committee, follows months of consultation with the Association’s 300 Members and a full appraisal of the results by the UKHMA Council, meeting in London on 5 April.

Separately, the UKHMA has submitted a formal response to the MCA in respect of their consultation over the proposed HM Coastguard modernisation review.

In the latter, the Association has taken the opportunity to record their strong opposition to the ETV and MIRG withdrawals, and in particular to the lack of a formal risk assessment in both cases and the omission of early industry consultation ahead of contract cancellations.

UKHMA Members may view the MCA consultation submission in the Member Area>>Documents>>Consultations area of the UKHMA website (login required).

15/4/2011. BREAKING NEWS: The Transport Select Committe has confirmed that the UKHMA’s submission is accepted as formal evidence. The document may now be published publicly and is available to UKHMA Members at the Member Area>>Documents>>Consultations area of the UKHMA website (login required).

Picture: UKHMA President, Kevin Richardson, briefs Members on recent developments, including the official response to the Transport Committee, at the UKHMA Spring Seminar in London on 6 April.]]>UKHMAWed, 13 Apr 2011 17:30:22 +0100Dock Worker Trapped in Container with Dead Co-Worker for Nine Dayshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article295
The Maritime Executive13/04/2011

A Bangladeshi man is recovering in a Singapore hospital after being trapped in a container for nine days and shipped to Singapore with the corpse of his co-worker.

Officials at Singapore’s Pasir Panjang Terminal discovered Din Islam, 30, on Sunday inside a container. The Chittagong port worker was next to another man who was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics.

Singapore police believe that the two men were taking a rest inside the container when they became trapped inside.

Din Islam told investigators that he and his co-worker entered the container to take a nap during their 12-hour night shift on April 1st. He said, they were asleep and didn’t know the container had been put on ship. Without food or water the two were shipped to Singapore onboard a container vessel.

Officials say the deceased man, believed to be around 40 years old, died after just a few days. Port workers report that the decomposing corpse had such a strong stench they had to step away. Din Islam was discover inside naked and dehydrated.

Bembridge Harbour Improvement Company has been placed in the hands of administrators RSM Tenon after failing to secure a buyer.

The harbour, which is owned by a private consortium, was put up for sale in January 2009 with an asking price of over £3 million.

Bembridge Harbour is in an unspoilt conservation area with space for up to 600 boats. Its turnover is £500,000 per year but despite initial strong local interest, no buyers have come forward.

Maritime and Leisure Investments Ltd, which owns some of the buildings in the harbour has also been placed in the hands of RSM Tenon. It is thought the administrators will continue to run the harbour as a going concern. ]]>UKHMAFri, 15 Apr 2011 15:04:00 +0100Langstone: Water firm is fined £50k for pollution in harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article297
The News, Portsmouth15.04.2011

At Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court yesterday the Worthing-based company pleaded guilty to letting unscreened sewage pour from an outfall pipe into the water at Eastney for the equivalent of 24 hours a day for more than 12 days.

Storm overflow pipes discharge directly into rivers or the sea when the level in the sewage system rises too high – often due to heavy rain.

These discharges are permitted by the Environment Agency under strict conditions.

Any sewage discharge must pass through a screening device and should be maintained and in full working order.

But Environment Agency officers discovered screening devices there were not working and effluent was being discharged unscreened between November 4, 2009 and April 19, 2010.

Miriam Joy, from the Environment Agency, said: ‘Prosecution is usually the last resort for us, but it is clear that the operations at Fort Cumberland could not be tolerated.

‘The discharges continued over a period of five months without anything being done to prevent them and without the Environment Agency being informed about long-standing problems at the site.

‘It is disappointing that Southern Water did not have planned maintenance programmes, contracts and spare parts available to deal with such a breakdown with their systems, particularly when they were fully aware how sensitive the harbour is.

‘I hope this case sends out a clear message to Southern Water that any pollution must be avoided or stopped as soon as possible.’

A spokeswoman for Southern Water said they had tried to fix the screens and improvements have been made ahead of a planned £10m refurbishment.

Belfast Harbour is to invest £92m in capital projects related to the Port and Harbour Estate in its new Corporate Plan for 2011-2013.

The largest investment is a £40m proposal for the development of a logistics terminal to support Danish-based DONG Energy’s offshore wind farm operations in the Irish Sea.

It is expected that following confirmation from the Planning Service that quay works for the site may proceed under permitted development rights, without the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment, tenders for the terminal will be issued.

An additional £25m has been set aside for various commercial projects while £19m has been allocated for port maintenance schemes such as the purchase of new quayside cranes.

A further £8m has been committed to ongoing regeneration of the Harbour Estate.

All of the projects will be fully funded from the harbour’s own revenue streams.

The Corporate Plan also highlights the harbour will continue to work with Invest NI to promote the estate’s potential to overseas investors.]]>UKHMAWed, 20 Apr 2011 13:41:06 +0100Guernsey: Harbour Signal Station Plans Put Forwardhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article299
BBC News Guernsey18/04/2011

Plans to build a new signal station at Guernsey’s St Peter Port Harbour to improve safety at sea have been submitted to the States.

The Harbour Office wants to replace the existing building at the end of the north arm of the harbour.

The current structure was built just after World War Two and has been modified several times.

In 2002 the roles of port control and St Peter Port radio - now the Guernsey Coastguard - were split and were housed in separate buildings about 400 yards (360m) apart.

The public consultation on the proposals ends on 29 April.

Picture: The current signal station was built just after the end of World War Two]]>UKHMAMon, 18 Apr 2011 12:44:19 +0100Hydrosphere: Familiar face joins AtoN teamhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article300
Hydrosphere as Technical Sales Area Manager.

Bob will be based in Norfolk and will cover the South East of England – from the Humber to Portsmouth including the Thames Estuary. He will also be involved in Hydrosphere’s increasing activities in the Offshore Oil and Gas and Offshore Renewables sectors.

His experience in the marine industry is wide ranging, having served for 23 years in the Merchant Navy and he spent 12 years working for Trinity House. Since 1990 Bob has been involved in marine sales, working in a number of key account management roles for Fendercare and CRP.

“I’ve always had a strong affinity for the sea,” said Bob. “My naval background allows me to see both sides – what products are the most suitable for which purpose and my Trinity House years have given me a good understanding of buoys, how they are used and the technical aspects which are needed. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Bob will be spending much of his time on the road visiting clients and will be based in Hydrosphere’s new office in Norwich.]]>UKHMATue, 19 Apr 2011 14:49:18 +0100IMCA: Gangway Security Video Publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article302
“The procedures and regulations for gangway security are in the ISPS Code, but to be effective they need to be applied properly and consistently, the gangway security team’s role in that process is crucial,” says Hugh Williams, Chief Executive of IMCA. “Our DVD is designed not as training, but to act as a reminder of the basics involved in controlling access to vessels from the quayside. DVDs and videos can be especially helpful as we often remember scenes more easily than pages from a document, or even instructions in team talks.“

‘Gangway Security’ (IMCA SEL 027) covers the roles and responsibilities of gangway security personnel including: the control of people and equipment to and from the vessel; the searching of personnel and/or baggage; reporting of security incidents or breaches; assisting with the control of emergency situations; and observation of the quayside.

It acts as a reminder of the three security levels that could be in place and the gangway security members’ role, making it clear that the Ship Security Officer will work with members of the gangway security team in all instances. It takes viewers through the role of gangway procedure when dealing with visitors, with drug and alcohol policy, on searching bags and people, and on the emergency plan.

“The DVD stresses that vigilance, judgement and communications skills are vital for this important job,” adds Hugh Williams. IMCA would like to thank Technip and the crew of Wellservicer for agreeing to filming taking place on, and alongside, the vessel.

IMCA members have received a copy of the DVD and can order more at £10 per copy, it is also available to non-members at £20 – VAT is applicable on all DVDs. Copies can be ordered from www.imca-int.com/publications; or from IMCA at 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7824 5520; Fax: +44 (0)20 7824 5521.]]>UKHMAThu, 21 Apr 2011 11:36:30 +0100Bembridge: Trust aims to buy Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article304
Isle of Wight County Press Online22/4/2011

THE appointment of administrators could pave the way for Bembridge Harbour to be bought by the Bembridge Harbour Trust, which was set up in 2007 with the aim of running the harbour for the community.

Bembridge Harbour Improvements Company Ltd and Maritime and Leisure Investments Ltd are now in the hands of RSM Tenon’s recovery division.Both companies, which provide services to the harbour, were placed into administration following a winding up petition from HM Revenue and Customs in February.

Between them, the companies own various parts of Bembridge Harbour, including many buildings and 59 hectares of water.Both businesses continue to operate as a going concern and will be marketed in due course.]]>UKHMAFri, 22 Apr 2011 21:27:54 +0100Falmouth: Harbour developers vow to protect algaehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article306
BBC News Cornwall23/4/2011

Developers behind the planned dredging of Falmouth harbour say that it will not harm a protected algae.

The development of the offshore wind farm industry in Hull could lead to a spectacular revival of the city’s economy in the same way that oil turned Aberdeen into the energy capital of Europe, according to a Yorkshire businessman whose company is investing millions of pounds to capitalise on new opportunities presented by the sector.

The group is already working on a £3.5m development to capitalise on the increased demand for space around the city’s docks if Siemens, the engineering giant, goes ahead as expected with plans to build a manufacturing plant at Alexandra Dock.

Rix is building three 100,000 sq ft warehouses on a 23-acre site nearby. It bought the land from the receivers of a failed manufacturing business last year.

The group sealed the deal before January’s Siemens announcement in the belief “there was a strong likelihood there would be considerable amount of investment in Hull with the opportunity of at least servicing wind farms”, said Mr Clarke.

The Siemens plant will force the relocation of several businesses, including Rix’s shipping terminal, and Mr Clarke said his group’s development could help keep them in the city.

“There will be a higher demand for space either on dock or off dock,” Mr Clarke added. The group is using the first of the new warehouses for its own operations.

JR Rix & Sons is a fifth generation, family-owned business, founded by sea captain and Merchant Adventurer Robert Rix in the early 19th century.

Its largest division is Rix Petroleum, led by Mr Clarke, which buys, transports and distributes fuel to the domestic home heating, agricultural, haulage, commercial and retail markets.

Rix also owns and operates the last shipbuilder in the Humber, Hepworths, which makes, converts and repairs small to medium-sized steel vessels.

The shipyard suffered during the downturn from the lack of finance for shipbuilding, which prompted its parent to commission a speculative ship at a cost of £4m.

The work saved 22 skilled jobs and kept the Humber’s last shipyard going, said Mr Clarke. He added: “Now there’s going to be huge demand for work boats to carry out maintenance for wind farms.”

To illustrate the point, it is thought that each of the 7,000 wind turbines planned for the North Sea will need two maintenance visits a month, creating a massive new market for shipbuilders like Hepworths.]]>UKHMAMon, 25 Apr 2011 20:47:31 +0100UKHMA to Give Oral Evidence before Transport Select Committeehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article310
Coastguard, Emergency Towing Vessels and the Maritime Incident Response Group inquiry.

The invitation, which has been accepted by UKHMA President, Kevin Richardson, is in response to the Association’s submission of written evidence on the MCA’s modernisation and cutback proposals, submitted earlier this month.

The Transport Select Committee session will be held in public on Wednesday 18 May at 12.15pm at the Falmouth Hotel, in Falmouth, Cornwall.

’The UKHMA clearly stated its official view with regard to HMCG, ETV and MIRG proposals in the written evidence submission,’ commented Kevin Richardson. ’This invitation to present oral evidence to the Committee offers an opportunity to lobby at the very highest level of government policy-making, and provides a formal environment in which to further explain our Members’ concerns regarding the safety and operational issues surrounding the MCA proposals.’

UKHMA Members may view the written evidence submission in the Documents>>Consultations section of the Login area.

A video of the opening session of the Transport Select Committee, held in London on 26 April, may be viewed via the External website link below.]]>UKHMAThu, 28 Apr 2011 09:24:09 +0100Innovative Solution to Berthing Speed Disputeshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article311
The system is currently operating in the Port of Rotterdam as part of a PIANC working group investigation into berthing speeds and fender designs.

Simon Wilson, managing director of Trelleborg Marine Systems Melbourne, commented: “Almost a quarter of all port owners and operators we polled last year claimed that disputes linked to incidents were on the up. That’s a big problem for industry because it’s notoriously difficult, time consuming and costly to resolve a dispute if there is a lack of data available to determine liability.”

To help tackle the issue, Trelleborg has developed a portable docking aid system based on its established Smartdock DAS fixed laser approach system. Known as Smartdock LITE the innovative solution will help establish safe berthing speeds in multiple locations. The dual benefit is that the system can be specified with a unique traffic light warning system; ideal for pilots of large vessels where the bow is out of the line of sight. ]]>UKHMASat, 30 Apr 2011 20:39:46 +0100Ramsgate: Firefighters tackle ship blazehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article312
BBC News Kent30/04/2011

Fire crews have tackled a large fire that broke out on a ship moored in Ramsgate Harbour.

About 30 firefighters fought the blaze, which broke out in the engine room of the 200-tonne Ocean Dragon at 2315 BST on Tuesday.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said the fire started when a diesel generator overheated on the vessel.

Watch manager David Halls said: ’The incident was quite challenging as crews had to work in a very confined space.’]]>UKHMASun, 01 May 2011 09:28:08 +0100Hull: Deputy PM backs Green Port Initiativehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article313
Green Port Hull site, where ABP and Siemens have put forward redevelopment plans which include the building of a new factory to manufacture offshore wind turbines.

Hull City Council fully supports the project which could eventually generate thousands of jobs for the area, providing a much needed boost for the local economy.

Mr Clegg said; “Hull is ideally located to support offshore wind developments and is well placed to become a UK centre of excellence in the developing renewable energy sector. There is huge potential here to create jobs and apprenticeships and help us create the new, green economy Britain needs for the 21st century."

Green Port Hull, a £100m redevelopment of Alexandra Dock, was launched in December 2010 and is a partnership between ABP, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the University of Hull.

In January 2011, Siemens and ABP entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, whereby Siemens selected Green Port Hull as their preferred location for manufacturing offshore wind turbines.

The parties have agreed to work together to develop plans for the construction of a new Siemens offshore wind turbine manufacturing and export facility at the Port with the aim of executing definitive agreements in 2011.]]>UKHMAWed, 04 May 2011 09:11:50 +0100ESPO: New Edition of ESPO Newshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article315
Contents include:

- Japanese Government Issues Radiation Guidelines for Containers and Ships

- Giuliano Gallanti Appointed President of Livorno Port Authority Calendar

Follow the External Website link below to read the latest edition.]]>UKHMAWed, 04 May 2011 17:03:28 +0100Grimsby: Opportunities being examined to enhance infrastructure at old fish dockshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article317
This is Grimsby5/5/2011

Opportunities are now being explored to enhance the infrastructure at Port of Grimsby East – the new name for Grimsby Fish Docks – as it embraces the offshore wind farm industry.

Centrica’s multi-million-pound commitment to the town, celebrated yesterday after a deal was completed enabling them to make the port home for a minimum of 25 years, is seen as a catalyst for further investment that will propel the port forward.

Major projects are being examined, with potential for a riverside pontoon or enhanced lock gates, speeding up the time it takes to get engineers out to the wind farms off the east coast, making Grimsby even more attractive as an operations and maintenance base.

It comes as Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises revealed they are in talks with another major company in the industry about locating to the complex, having completed this agreement with the energy giant and ABP.

Centrica’s commitment was greeted by all involved in a ceremony on the dockside yesterday.

Pictured: Chief executive of Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd Martyn Boyers (left) shakes hands with head of operation and maintenance Centrica Renewable Energy, Mick Turner.]]>UKHMAThu, 05 May 2011 11:43:00 +0100Divers intercepted by MoD police with historic artefacts are to have them returnedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article318
This is Plymouth06/05/2011

Two divers who were intercepted by Ministry of Defence Police are to be handed back items they found close to a historic shipwreck off Plymouth.

In March The Herald reported how the officers, acting on a request from the Queen’s Harbour Master, stopped the two men on the edge of the protected wreck site of the British warship the Coronation, off Penlee Point.

Items seized from the divers’ boat have now been analysed and experts have ascertained they date from the 18th century.

The Coronation was a 90-gun warship of the English Royal Navy which was launched in 1685. She was lost on September 3, 1691 in a gale off Penlee Point and her remains were not found until 1967.

At the time of the seizure, English Heritage issued a warning that action would be taken against anyone illegally accessing, damaging or removing items from protected historic wrecks.

It followed the launch in February of the Alliance to Reduce Crimes Against Heritage (ARCH) with the support of more than 40 organisations. A spokesman for the MoD police said the items would now be returned to the divers.

The spokesman said: “We will continue to maintain our vigilance at protected sites.

“Divers and other sea users are reminded that the sites are being monitored and action will be taken where there is an infringement of the law.

“There is increasing evidence that suggests that the threat from heritage crimes is growing and we need to do something about it.”]]>UKHMAFri, 06 May 2011 12:38:01 +0100Sheerness: Port boost could see ’thousands of jobs’http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article319
Kent Online11/5/2011

A massive investment in the Port of Sheerness could see the creation of 2,000 jobs - a move welcomed by business and environment leaders today.

Danish firm Vestas was due to announce that it had signed an agreement with Peel Ports to take over 70 hectares of land in the docks.

It aims to build a manufacturing and installation facility for massive offshore wind turbines.

At the time of going to press, details were sketchy but it is understood the project will go ahead if the company receives orders to supply its V164-7.0MW turbines to UK wind farms.

Balanced Seas is a collaborative project working to recommend Marine Conservation Zones around south-east England. Marine Conservation Zones will be set up under the Marine and Coastal Access Act of 2009 to protect nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology, while taking into account socio-economic interests.

Workers at one of the UK’s major deep sea ports will benefit after profits almost doubled in 2010.

Turnover at the Port of Tyne reached £45.5m and bosses say its 450 workers will now receive a share.

A port spokesperson said bulk cargoes and container traffic had played a large part in the improved figures.

The port was used to bring the first of Nissan’s electric cars, the Leaf, into the north-east of England from Japan in February.

Each of the port’s workers will be paid an extra 2% of their salary as a bonus for this year.

Its level of earnings were up by 45% on 2009.

Port of Tyne’s Andrew Moffat said: "Increased activity levels has led to our doubling in profits.

"I think it’s only right in this day and age that we are able to share in that performance."

A study by independent consultancy firm ARUP in 2010, said the port was worth £421m to the economy of the north-east of England.]]>UKHMAThu, 12 May 2011 11:31:56 +0100Tombstoners: Harbour Seeks to Outlaw Practicehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article323
Northumberland Gazette12/5/2011

DAREDEVILS who take their lives into their own hands by launching themselves into water at a north Northumberland harbour are to be monitored, in a bid to outlaw the dangerous craze.

Warkworth Harbour Commissioners want to create a by-law to make the potentially life-threatening trend of ‘tombstoning’ an offence.

While there have been no fatalities in Amble, a growing number of thrill-seekers – both children and adults – have been throwing themselves from quayside structures into the water, with a concerning number of near misses.

The commissioners fear that those who make the potentially lethal leap do not know how deep the water is and boats can not always see them.

At the end of last year, they asked Northumberland County Council to help them create a by-law.

On Monday, the county council’s area committee north was told that meetings have taken place between the harbour commissioners, Amble county and town councillor Robert Arckless and county council officers and it has been agreed that the commissioners – who have their own by-law-making powers – will contact the Department for Transport to progress the matter.

Dr Paul Morrison, spokesman for the commissioners, said last week: “We were worried that we weren’t going to get any help but they (the county council) have worked with us and there is steady progress."]]>UKHMAThu, 12 May 2011 12:58:08 +0100Great Yarmouth: Outer Harbour Tackles Swell Problemhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article324
EDP 24 The Business14/5/2011Stephen Pullinger

Work will soon be under way on modifications to Great Yarmouth’s outer harbour to address the swell problem which has dogged the port during its first year of operation.

The 200m wide entrance to the harbour is to be reduced by 50m by extending the breakwater arms, which will be densified and heightened with extra rock.

At the same time, work will continue on replacing hard rubber cone fenders designed for bigger ships with Yokohama airbag fenders.

Critics have blamed EastPort for the ongoing swell problem – which has prompted criticism from a ship’s captain and led to one vessel leaving port early – because it made design changes to the original plan.

However, EastPort chief executive Eddie Freeman said the main issue was that smaller vessels were using the harbour than had been originally envisaged.

The modifications would accommodate the sort of vessels used in offshore windfarm construction which was a key market the port was targeting.

A massive revamp of the Port of Dover totalling £85 million has been announced today.

The capital investment plan, which has just been approved by Dover Harbour Board, will see the Eastern Docks ferry terminal receiving a major upgrade by 2015.

This will include increasing the port’s capacity and building extensions to the piers to cater for the new super-ferries, improvements to the existing berths and the complete replacement of Berth 6.

Additional assembly and pre-assembly space will be provided and much of the area will be re-surfaced.

’Despite the tough economic climate, the port has seen growth in the tourist sector and the business is buoyant and optimistic,’ said Kate O Hara, head of commercial and marketing.

’This has been confirmed by the introduction of new and bigger vessels, including the largest ferry ever to sail from Dover, P&O’s Spirit of Britain.

The port provides sailings every 30 minutes during peak times and a typical mid-week day offers 54 sailings from P&O Ferries, DFDS Seaways and SeaFrance.]]>UKHMASat, 14 May 2011 20:39:13 +0100ESPO: Port Governance Report Publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article326
The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has announced publication of a new report on ‘European Port Governance’.

This fifth edition of what is also known as the ‘Fact-Finding Report’ brings together a wealth of information on the governance of European seaports. It is based on a major survey that was held among ESPO members last year.

- The traditional functions of port authorities have gone through substantial change. The operator function has in most ports made way to landlord and regulatory functions, which both have gained a strong community focus.

- Most port authorities pro-actively pursue a ‘community manager’ policy and adopt a strong ‘facilitator’ role, which has both an economic and societal dimension. Only few port authorities venture into genuine ‘entrepreneurial’ activities so far.

- The vast majority of port authorities in Europe are publicly owned, with the exception of some of the larger ports in the UK and smaller, industrial ports on the continent. Further privatisations are considered in the UK and Ireland.

- Most port authorities bear heavy financial responsibilities regarding investment and personnel, but many do not seem to be full master over their income and lack financial autonomy in varying degrees.

- A north-south duality exists in Europe, which not only involves simple ownership differences, but covers many other governance elements, especially functional and financial autonomy, which is typically more limited in the south.

- Current reforms to not immediately point at substantial changes in this north-south constellation, but there may be developments in the longer term which could make the opposition between both more vague.

- The size of the port authority may to some extent explain governance diversity as well, especially where it comes to corporate governance, the operational profile as well as the functional pro-activeness of port authorities.

The full report may be downloaded via the External Website link below.

]]>UKHMASat, 14 May 2011 21:24:54 +0100Aberdeen: Work on entrance will open up harbour to bigger shipshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article327
Press and Journal16/5/2011

Plans to transform the entrance to Aberdeen harbour have taken a major step forward after bosses moved to appoint contractors for the multimillion-pound work.

The harbour board will spend £8.5million dredging and widening its entrance to allow ships to enter more frequently during bad weather.

The move comes after several recent high-profile incidents where vessels have been unable to negotiate the approach to the harbour.

The work would also allow the city to take advantage of opportunities in the marine renewables and offshore decommissioning industries.]]>UKHMAMon, 16 May 2011 16:32:57 +0100Harwich: Port Makes Space for Largest Jack-up Vesselhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article328
The vessel, which arrived from a shipyard in China, is 19,533 tonnes and by far the largest wind turbine installation vessel to enter the port to date. The initial call is a trial berthing prior to installation operations for offshore wind turbines commencing in a few months’ time.

The vessel will join the Sea Worker which is already installing the towers that will support the turbines for the London Array project.

“We are pleased to welcome the MPI Adventure, whose call is further evidence of the crucial role played by Harwich International Port in the development of the offshore renewables sector. Having been involved in both the Gunfleet Sands, Thanet and Greater Gabbard projects, we are proud to continue our sterling record within this exciting industry.”

The London Array wind farm commenced operations from Harwich in March and will continue with Phase 1 of the project, which represents 175 turbines, and is due to be completed at the end of 2012.]]>UKHMAMon, 16 May 2011 16:40:28 +0100Isle of Man: Launch of Improved Harbour Masterplanhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article331
iomtoday.co.im26/5/2011

INITIAL consultation has begun on a masterplan for the future development of Douglas outer harbour.

Senior operational staff from the government’s harbours division and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company met earlier this month to review the potential needs of the ferry operator and how the outer harbour would need to be developed to accommodate any changes.

The meeting with Steam Packet bosses is the first step in a long consultation process that will include other harbour uses and interested parties over the next few months.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said: ‘Douglas outer harbour has been developed and improved over the years in order to meet the Isle of Man’s changing shipping requirements.

‘It is absolutely essential for an island to have an efficient and effective seaport through which people and goods can flow.

‘At a time of financial restrictions it is even more important that the department plans for the future in consultation with its main stakeholders.’]]>UKHMAThu, 26 May 2011 12:46:38 +0100Harbour Master: It just an App !!http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article335
Relax and let the sounds of the sea transport you far away.

You are the Harbour Master in a busy harbour. Direct boats into the docks, watch them unload their cargo, and direct them off the screen.

But be careful not to let the boats crash, and watch out for the pirates, monsters, and cyclones!

So says the marketing blurb associated with the latest App for iPhones, the innovately named Harbour Master.

Priced at a competitive £1.19 for download, the app is also available for other applications including the iPad.]]>UKHMATue, 31 May 2011 11:34:04 +0100Increased Investment Boosts Future Port Revenues - Reporthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article334
The findings, detailed in Trelleborg’s Barometer Report survey, indicate that shipping companies will commit a higher degree of business to ports if investment levels increase.

Just over a third (39%) of port decision-makers believe that shipping companies appreciate upgrades to facilities, even if they can’t establish a direct link to increased shipping activity.

Meanwhile, just one in 10 (13%) claim that shipping companies have no regard for port-side investment at all.

Richard Hepworth, managing director of Trelleborg Marine Systems, says: “It’s pleasing that there is a correlation between increased port investment and higher satisfaction levels among shipping operators. It is often difficult to quantify the payoff, but our research shows that new business creation is a benefit many enjoy.”

Trelleborg Marine Systems says that ports are beginning to invest more heavily in integrated berthing, docking and mooring systems to improve speed, safety and efficiencies for shipping companies. And it is in these areas that both parties can profit.

Hepworth adds: “Operators, consultants and contractors are confident that shipping companies will commit more business to their port if the infrastructure is able to support and enhance their operations. This presents a powerful argument for increasing capital expenditure and taking custom away from less committed ports, harbours and terminals.”]]>UKHMAFri, 27 May 2011 17:46:35 +0100Marine South East: Event Highlights Opportunities for SE Portshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article337
The Ports Sector; a Catalyst for Investment and Growth, Tuesday 28th June 2011, ABP Southampton

Marine South East are delighted to be partnering with ABP Southampton for this important event, The Ports Sector; a Catalyst for Investment and Growth taking place on Tuesday 28th June 2011 from 4.00-6.30pm at the Ocean Cruise Terminal, ABP Southampton.

The event will present the results from the recently commissioned comprehensive analysis of the port activities and their effect on the local and national economy. The evening will highlight the substantial opportunities that this represents for the development of the maritime supply chain and the opportunity for investment and economic development.

The seminar is aimed at businesses that have activities or ambitions for business in the port, logistics and security sectors.

The event will also launch the formation of a Maritime Board who will be steering the future marine priorities of the Local Enterprise Partnerships which have recently been formed by the Government to stimulate local investment.

The dredging work in Kirkcaldy Harbour is still progressing well – without causing damage to any of the Lang Toun’s beaches.

Beach users have been on the lookout in recent weeks for any mud coming in as material dredged from the harbour is dumped into spoil grounds in the Forth.Last year similar work saw large amounts of black sticky mud wash up on the beach at Kinghorn, and concerns had been raised of a repeat this year.

No real explanation of where the mud had come from was ever given, and it was well into the winter months before it had cleared from the rock pools.The work currently taking place in Kirkcaldy is to clear a path for large cargo ships to reach Hutchison’s Flour Mill.

The first ship is due to arrive in July or August, revitalising the area which has been closed for over two decades as a working port.

As well as clearing the path, Hutchison’s are also modernising their own facility at the harbour which will see the construction of new silos and intake equipment.

Forth Ports reported last month that the project, estimated as costing £829,000, was on schedule and within budget, paving the way for the first commercial freight vessels to arrive in the summer.]]>UKHMAMon, 06 Jun 2011 14:15:20 +0100Sea Depths: Full UK Coastal Coverage Announcedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article341
SeaZone TruDepth Grids is an innovative solution which delivers high qulaity information on water depth around the UK. The latest areas to be produced are along the East Coast from the Scottish Borders to The Wash, The Isle of Man and offshore Cornwall

SeaZone TruDepth Grids is used by many organisations including: Government, energy companies, universities, research institutions, and consultants. It is used for marine spatial planning, site selection activities, habitat map creation, volumetric calculations, nutrient loading models, capacity planning and general bathymetry background mapping. The data can be used in most GIS and modelling software.

Users of SeaZone TruDepth Grids report many benefits such as: data procurement cost savings, time savings, reduced project risk, better support for decision making and more accurate modelling.

SeaZone TruDepth Grids are created from a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) based on the best available surveys (for example best sounding density and most up to date surveys) that are held in our bathymetry database.

The SeaZone database includes around 20,000 survey blocks, 500 of which have been scanned, geo-referenced and digitised from UKHO archive fairsheets. Charted bathymetric data is acceptable for background mapping and coarse scale generic assessment, but for accurate design, engineering and numerical modelling, it is not advisable to use charted data.

At a resolution of 1 arc second (or approximately 25m, depending on latitude), physical features such as trenches, ridges, sand banks and sand waves are significantly more distinguishable with SeaZone TruDepth Grids.

Follow the External Website link below for full details.]]>UKHMAThu, 09 Jun 2011 10:31:27 +0100UKHMA Calls for Re-Think on Plans for Coast Guards, ETVs and MIRG http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article344
The Transport Select Committee’s call for a Government re-think of its policy on Coast Guard modernisation and the withdrawal of the Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) and Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG) provision, has been wholly welcomed by the UK’s professional association of harbour masters, the UKHMA.

The findings of the Transport Committee’s recent enquiry is published today and includes conclusions drawn from both oral and written evidence supplied to the Committee during their meetings in London, Scotland and England. The UKHMA offered written evidence in the initial consultation and oral evidence at the Select Committee session held in Falmouth in May.

“We welcome the findings of the Transport Select Committee and particularly their conclusion that the whole review process was flawed due to lack of any prior consultation,” commented UKHMA President, Kevin Richardson.

“We were clear in the presentation of our evidence that we supported the principle of Coast Guard modernisation, but that we had serious doubts over the practicability and robustness of the proposals. With regard to the issues of the ETV and MIRG withdrawals, we were completely opposed to the Government’s plans, believing that they had been conceived without any real risk assessment and that the decision was based upon purely financial, rather than safety, criteria. We are most satisfied that the Transport Committee reached similar conclusions.

“To expect ports to pick-up a coastal salvage role by using harbour tugs in the absence of the ETVs is wholly impracticable and, quite frankly, dangerous“, continued Capt Richardson. “Modern-day harbour tugs are not equipped or configured for salvage roles and their crews are not trained to provide emergency response outside of port limits. That said, we are providing every assistance to the MCA, the DfT and other industry forums to find alternative solutions, in terms of funding and provision, to the wholly Government-financed ETV service.

“We concur with the Committee’s conclusion that the MCA’s proposals raise serious concerns that safety of life at sea and the protection of the maritime environment will be seriously compromised if the proposals proceed in their original form”, he concluded.

The full report is available for Member download via the Documents>>Consultations & Surveys section of the UKHMA Member Area (Login required).

REPORT – The Coastguard, Emergency Towing Vessels and the Maritime Incident Response Group

The Government should withdraw its controversial proposals to modernise the Coast Guard Service, says the influential cross-party Transport Committee. Serious concerns were raised that the safety of people at sea, on cliffs and beaches will be jeopardised if the proposals proceed in their current form. Ministers must issue revised proposals for further consultation.

Launching the report, Transport Committee Chair Louise Ellman MP said: “We accept there is a need for some modernisation, but the Government’s proposals for the future of the Coastguard Service are seriously flawed.

“We found little support for the current proposals and we have no confidence that, under these proposals, the Coastguard will in future be able to respond to emergencies at sea as well as they do now, let alone in a more effective way.”

“A drastic reduction in the number of rescue co-ordination centres will result in a loss of local knowledge amongst coastguard officers who are responsible for taking calls from people and vessels in distress. The Committee is not convinced by the Government’s claim that technology can, at present, replace such local knowledge.”

“Whilst there is a case for reducing the total number of rescue co-ordination centres, any future reorganisation of the Coastguard should be based on 24-hour centres, as they are now, and not on stations open only during daylight hours, as the Government proposes”.

The Committee also strongly condemns the Government’s cost-cutting decision to withdraw funding for the four Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) stationed around the UK coast—large tugs that intercept disabled ships to prevent environmental pollution disasters.

“We found no evidence that a suitable commercial alternative for these tugs exists. The Government’s decision to withdraw funding for the ETVs is unwise and short-sighted - quite literally, it is inviting disaster,” says Louise Ellman.

The Transport Committee also criticises proposals to completely remove government funding for the Maritime Incident Response group (MIRG), a national fire-fighting-at-sea capability. Ministers should instead adopt a slimmed-down MIRG which is more cost-effective than the present arrangement.

Lastly, the committee records its disappointment that Mike Penning MP, Minister for Shipping, instructed regular coastguards not to give oral evidence to the Committee on the basis that they were junior civil servants. “The minister should have shown more faith in the professionalism of the coastguards and stuck by his original commitment to the House [of Commons] to let them give evidence to the Committee,” adds Louise Ellman.

See also:Report: The Coastguard, Emergency Towing Vessels and the Maritime Incident Response Group]]>UKHMAThu, 23 Jun 2011 10:44:45 +0100Grimsby: Pontoon Contract Awardhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article350
As part of an ongoing agreement between the Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprise and Centrica, the companies will use the pontoons as a docking station to enable the safe transfer of offshore and marine personnel from port to their offshore wind farm. Six of the innovative Dockmaster concrete pontoon units will be supplied by September 2011.

Drystan Jones, Managing Director of Marine Designs Ltd commented, “We installed the crew transfer pontoons in Grimsby in 2007, which have been used for the transfer of the offshore wind technicians from up to four boats at a time, saving time and money for the operators. We are delighted that we can continue to be involved in the development of Grimsby Fish Docks, and we look forward to returning to the port later this year to install the new pontoons.”

The award follows the completion of a contract by Marine Designs Services for ABP where 50 metres of additional pontoon has been installed to extend the water berth facilities at ABP’s Barrow dock. This allows access for operation and maintenance to offshore turbines in this region.]]>UKHMAMon, 27 Jun 2011 09:35:12 +0100MMO: New Data Added to Marine Planning Portalhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article352
The marine planning portal allows anyone logging on to view a range of information and locations – from details of wind farm developments to conservation areas.

Plan-making is already underway in the East Offshore and East Inshore marine plan areas - from Flamborough Head to Felixstowe – with a total of 10 marine plans to be drawn up for England over the next decade to inform and guide marine regulators and users.

The planning portal offers an easy way to be involved and contribute to marine planning. Using the controls, you can locate and then zoom in on particular areas or activities by selecting the specific data you want to see. You can also post comments and make suggestions on new data or information to inform the plans in the East of England, which are expected to take two years to finalise.

The MMO hopes that as many people as possible will get online, look at the map and share any insights they may have on the evidence the MMO will be using. The MMO will also be running a series of workshops in the East of England over the coming year which will provide opportunities for others, including those who are not online, to have their say.

You can also contact the planning team by telephone on 0191 376 2790, or email: planning@marinemanagement.org.uk]]>UKHMAWed, 20 Jul 2011 15:42:11 +0100GLAs announce AtoN strategy to 2025http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article354
The document, launched by Trinity House executive chairman, Rear Admiral Sir Jeremy de Halpert, and UK Shipping Minister, Mike Penning MP, charts the GLAs’ strategy over the next 15 years to provide an appropriate mix of physical and electronic AtoN whilst delivering a service that is “robust, efficient and economic”.

The strategy considers an already complex coastal environment, with the Dover Straits one of the busiest pinch points in the world, strong tidal currents in the Pentland Firth and large tidal ranges in the Bristol Channel. There are 255 offshore oil and gas platforms as well as plans for up to 7,000 offshore wind turbines and other tidal or wave energy installations. These factors reduce the available sea area for shipping, against a long term trend towards larger ships relying primarily on GPS in the coastal voyage phase. Crew sizes are being reduced and, with a severe shortage of mariners, evidence links the rise in the number of accidents at sea with human and navigational error.

e-Naviagtion, the integration of all charting, communications and navigation information into a coherent bridge presentation , data-linked to the shore, is seen as the solution but, with GPS the primary navigational system and vulnerable to interference, there is a need for terrestrial back-up. The GLA’s choice for this is enhanced Loran (eLoran), and they continue to participate in a pan-European Loran network on a trial basis in the belief that it or an equivalent terrestrial back-up is a key building block of e-Navigation.

To view the Report, follow links below]]>UKHMAFri, 22 Jul 2011 09:33:01 +0100Envirocat: UKHMA Members Invited to Open Dayhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article356
ENVIROCAT OPEN DAYHULL29 SEPTEMBER 2011

UK Harbour Masters are invited to an Open Day to see the popular Envirocat Harbour model in action at Alexandra Dock, Hull.

These multi-purpose aluminium catamarans are designed for clearing oil spills and solid waste from harbours and sheltered waters. They are available for purchase or hire.

The Open Day includes lunch at Hull’s stunning Deep, one of the world’s most spectacular aquariums with over 40 sharks and 3000 fish in one of Europe’s deepest tanks and the opportunity for a guided tour.

A draft "master plan" for Poole’s port and harbour has been released for consultation, according to Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC).

The plan, which covers the next 20-30 years, includes a potential wind farm, business park and marine centre.

Harbour users and residents can lodge their views on the plan over a 20-week period.

The Department for Transport has requested that all major UK ports compile a master plan.

The plan sets out the existing status of the harbour and the Port of Poole, which as a Trust Port receives no public funding from central or local government.

PHC said it had to look for new ways of bringing money into the port in order to ensure "long-term sustainability".

Jim Stewart, chief executive officer for PHC, said: "The plan also explores current activities and explains the major environmental issues and sensitivities of the harbour."

Consultation for the plan closes in January 2012.

The final master plan will be compiled in early 2012 and will be reviewed on a regular basis, said PHC.]]>UKHMAMon, 12 Sep 2011 17:20:22 +0100Global Freight Figures: Weak Growth Aheadhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article358
The latest global freight data collected by the International Transport Forum at the OECD, through June 2011, highlight concerns over economic recovery:

► Freight volumes indicate a marked macroeconomic slowdown.External trade by sea in the EU-27 and the USA stabilizes below pre-crisis levels (-3% and -4%) while trade by air declines in EU (falling from 15% to 9% above pre-crisis);

► The risks of dependence on Asia-led global growth are exposed. Both US and EU-27 exports by sea to Asia have declined since Feb-11, measured in tonnes of goods moved. Trade by air withChina declined both for the USA and the EU-27, possibly indicating a slowdown in demand from the world’s engine ofrecovery.

► Further slow growth in inland freight transport volumes continues to contribute to the sense of weak recovery in domestic demand.

The full data from the International Transport Forum is attached.]]>UKHMATue, 13 Sep 2011 16:14:18 +0100Fendercare: First Buoy Deliveries on Marine Services Contracthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article360
Fendercare Marine has recently completed the delivery of 36 mooring buoys to Serco under their Marine Services contract awarded to Serco by the UK Ministry of Defence.

Signed in 2008, FenderCare has a 5-year LTA in place with international services provider Serco. The contract is to supply class mooring systems within the context of the Marine Services contract awarded to Serco by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The overall LTA makes provision for the supply of 600 containers of chain and fittings to yards designated by Serco, and whilst this was the primary scope of the contract the supply of self-fendering, low-maintenance mooring buoys was subsequently added to that scope.

A total of 36 mooring buoys have been manufactured and delivered to this project by the Plymouth facility of the Hippo Marine division of FenderCare over the course of the spring and summer of 2011. These range from 11.5t to 25t in net buoyancy, and are configured with a chain-through arrangement to allow for ease of inspection of the mooring connections.

Hippo’s buoy technology has evolved from their manufacture of low-maintenance, lightweight fender systems. In floating form, Hippo fenders have been adopted by many navies around the world for quayside and onboard use and they also feature as d-sections bonded to the hulls of some of the most prominent patrol and interception craft in use today by the world’s navies.

The use of these same materials for the manufacture of Hippo’s range of mooring buoys ensures that these buoys will absorb high levels of impact without either suffering or causing damage in a way which steel and inferior plastic technologies simply cannot. The closed-cell foam used for the core of these buoys will ensure no loss of buoyancy if the outer skin is breached. They also require much less ongoing maintenance than the steel buoys which they will be replacing, which require expensive returns to land for shot-blasting and repainting due to corrosion and colour-fade. The new mooring buoys will provide both Serco and ultimately the MOD with much lower through-life costs and therefore much better return on investment compared to the steel buoys they are replacing.

Chris Sparrow, Sales and Marketing Manager of Hippo Marine commented, “We are extremely pleased that Serco and the MOD have selected Hippo buoys for this prestigious project. It provides further evidence of blue-chip organizations buying into the principle that although Hippo buoys may not be the cheapest on offer at point of purchase, once capex and maintenance budgets are put together and the decision made from a progressive, through-life viewpoint rather than from a short-term perspective, the case for Hippo buoys becomes compelling.”]]>UKHMATue, 13 Sep 2011 18:17:40 +0100UKHMA Condemns Government Decision on ETV and MIRG Withdrawalshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article361
However, the Association is gravely concerned that the Government intends to stand by its earlier announcement concerning the withdrawal of the Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) provision and that funding for the Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG) offshore fire-fighting capability is similarly withdrawn.

It is the UKHMA’s contention that the decisions concerning the cessation of the ETV and MIRG services were based on purely financial criteria rather than risk-based analysis. It is the Association’s belief that the withdrawal of both services poses an unacceptable risk to the safety of life at sea, and a risk of major damage to the environment, through pollution and wreck, to a level of national strategic consequence.

The Association notes the similar concerns of other industry and maritime professional bodies to the withdrawal of the ETV and MIRG services, and in particular the statement by the Chair of the TSC, Louise Ellman MP, in which she expresses her disappointment at the decision which, she believes, will lead to “…key skills and expertise being lost and lives put at risk because of this short-sighted decision.”

Commenting on the Government’s Response, UKHMA President, Capt. Kevin Richardson, said: “As an active participant in the TSC enquiry and the MCA consultation process, we believe that an overwhelming case has been presented, by ourselves and other senior industry bodies, for the retention of the ETV capability around the UK coast. We also believe that a case for the retention of the MIRG service, in an updated version, is also well stated.

“It is therefore difficult to understand how the Government can stand by its original judgment without recognising the enormous consequences of their decision to safety of life at sea, damage to the marine environment, and the impact on the import and export of goods by sea.

“Although we continue to have dialogue with the MCA on the use of alternative salvage services, notably that offered by the CAST (Commercially Available Salvage Tugs) Agreement, it is of concern that no nationwide salvage tug provision will be available, other than on a locally improvised basis, from 30 September when the present ETV contract expires.

“With regard to the Government’s proposals on the modernisation of the Coastguard, we welcome the revised proposals and consider that the introduction of these may lead to a fit-for-purpose Coastguard service that meets the varied needs of all stakeholders in the leisure and commercial marine sectors. In particular, we welcome the introduction of centralised new technology that will be balanced by the retention of local knowledge at the regional Coastguard stations.”

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 provided for a new marine planning system and the first two areas subject to planning will be East Inshore (the English area of the UK Territorial Sea between Felixstowe, Suffolk to Flamborough Head, Yorkshire) and East Offshore (the adjacent UK marine area).

The Marine Management Organisation is the new marine planning and licensing authority and they are now actively developing the evidence base for these first plans.

The purpose of this English Heritage sponsored course is to develop understanding of how the historic environment will feature within terrestrial and marine planning through the coastal zone and out to sea.

It is therefore essential that all parties in the historic environment sector are clearly informed so that the necessary support and information is available to develop marine plans.

A RESPECTED sailor [and UKHMA Member] drowned on board a former Royal Navy minesweeper when it sank in a Plymouth harbour, an inquest heard.

Commander Robert Tallack’s body was found in his cabin by a police diver after what was described as a "tragic accident" in Turnchapel.

The 67-year-old had skippered the MFV Yarmouth Navigator, a veteran of the D-Day landings, on a voyage to the city following lengthy repairs.

But an inquest into his death yesterday heard how the vessel, successfully moored but rapidly taking on water, sank before he abandoned ship on the evening of January 30.

Cdr Tallack was leading a four-man crew, which included the ship’s owner Matthew Hunt, on the 45-mile journey from Dartmouth to the city.

Mechanic Mr Hunt had carried out months of work on the vessel, officially buying her from the Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority for £5 two days before setting sail.

He told the inquest he had addressed urgent repairs identified by a surveyor, ensuring the boat was seaworthy.

Mr Hunt said the crew set off in flat and calm conditions at around 9am. But around an hour from shore one of two working pumps "burnt out", he said, and the wooden boat began taking on more water.

By the time of arrival, in darkness at around 6pm, the flooding was "knee deep", Mr Hunt told the inquest.

"I was glad to moor up because we needed to get on with the pumping," he said. "The water really started to come up; waist deep, chest deep."

A UK Border Agency crew offered their pump, but that too failed. After an hour of trying to save the historic vessel, Coastguards advised those on board to abandon ship.

But Cdr Tallack, who was on the other side, did not get to either safety vessel in time, as the boat suddenly sank entirely within just 20 seconds.

"I don’t understand why he didn’t get off at that point," said Mr Hunt, who had jumped into the water in a desperate bid to save his friend.

Fellow crew member Simon Parr said he caught a glimpse of Cdr Tallack beside the wheelhouse as the ship sank.

"It did look like he was grabbing things," he added. "We were shouting at him: ’Get out, Robert! Get out, Robert!’"

The body of Cdr Tallack, who lived with wife Patricia in Axbridge, Somerset, was discovered the following day.

He had joined the Merchant Navy at 14 and served 30 years with the Royal Naval Reserve before becoming a shipbroker and maritime consultant.

Returning a verdict of accidental death, deputy coroner Andrew Cox said the Yarmouth Navigator was in a fit state for sea, albeit frail.

"Mr Tallack went into the wheelhouse for a reason that I don’t think will ever be conclusively known," he added.

"I think he anticipated that he would have long enough to do what he wanted to do. The sad reality is he did not.

"This was not a reckless trip taken with a vessel that was ill-equipped. Events conspired against those who were trying to save the vessel and it is a tragedy that Robert Tallack, a man who had served the sea for so long and whose reputation preceded him, died."]]>UKHMAWed, 21 Sep 2011 14:42:55 +0100Shetland: Coastguard union attacks government for ETV removalhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article368
Shetland Times21/9/2011

An accident at sea during the winter is “inevitable” if the government pushes ahead with its decision to withdraw the emergency towing vessels (ETVs) from around the UK shoreline, according to the Shetland Coastguard branch of the PCS union.

Any savings from scrapping the tug contract would then be lost through damage to the environment and clean-up operations, members claimed in a response to government assertions on Friday that the Sullom Voe harbour tugs and oil field vessels would fill the gap left when the Northern Isles ETV is withdrawn at the end of this month. The government was replying to a critical report by MPs on the House of Commons transport select committee which called on ministers to think again.

The PCS said today: “With the more extreme winter weather approaching, if the withdrawal of the ETVs goes ahead as planned at the end of this month we believe a maritime accident, which could otherwise have been prevented by an ETV, is inevitable and that the proposed “savings” will be lost through the damage to our environment and subsequent clean-up.

“As operational Coastguard officers we work with ETVs, shipping and offshore installations every day of the year and with the benefit of this experience we do not believe the proposal to utilise offshore support vessels (AHTS) in lieu of ETVs will succeed; these vessels are either on contract to supply and patrol/protect a rig exclusion zone and cannot be released from that, or they are going to/from or in port where the crew are at rest and the vessel is unable to react in an emergency, unlike an ETV which is at standby 24/7.”

It added: “The dedicated ETVs on standby around the UK are purpose built AHTS vessels able to operate in deep sea and hostile weather conditions, they have a bollard pull (towage rating) of at least 152 tonnes. The tugs that operate at Sullom Voe are harbour tugs, not designed for deep sea/hostile weather operations, and have an bollard pull of 87 tonnes (MV Bonxie).”

The union also attacked the indication from the government that after the ETVs were scrapped coastguards would monitor tug availability and encourage early intervention by owners and insurers if ships get into difficulty.

“This is something we have always done, it is not a new concept. The current list from a broker details the nearest tug, other than the ETV, as being in Aberdeen – a significant distance and time delay from being in Shetland and Orkney waters, where the ETV operates.

“Yet again the government has chosen to completely ignore the professional opinion of serving Coastguards who work with the ETVs and the commercial towage industry on a regular basis. We would therefore question how this decision could be properly informed if they have not consulted those whose job it is to protect our coastline on a day-to-day basis.”]]>UKHMAWed, 21 Sep 2011 14:52:27 +0100Trelleborg: Report Calls for New Standard for Mooring, Docking and Fender Gearhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article369
Trelleborg warns that this demonstrates a move towards a more commoditised market for fenders, which could increase costs and reduce the efficiency of ports over the longer-term.

Although costs savings may seem attractive to specifiers in the short-term, this willingness to cut corners in pursuit of lower cost procurement is often at the expense of considering whole life costs. Port owners, operators and contractors risk settling for lower standards and compromising long term product performance, increasing maintenance needs and therefore downtime, and ultimately, leading to extra expense for the port facility.

This is the second annual research report from Trelleborg Marine Systems, exploring stakeholders’ perspectives around many aspects of the commercial ports, harbours and terminals industry. The report benchmarks the changing perceptions of port operators, owners and contractors and presents some concerning conclusions.

Areas covered by the report include investment, costs, unscheduled downtime, port safety, third party certification and compliance, materials testing and industry standards.

Some of the most significant findings to come out of the report centre on the need for updated industry guidelines and stricter enforcement of industry standards. In particular, PIANC’s 2002 “Guidelines for the design of fender systems”, which are intended to protect the industry from unscrupulous practices and ensure that high standards of design and manufacture are maintained.

However, research from Trelleborg has shown that PIANC’s guidelines for fenders are not being met by some unscrupulous, low-cost traders who lack the technical capability of their manufacturing counterparts.

The survey reveals that although most specifiers would prefer to source products through a manufacturer, one in four respondents are purely motivated by price and not the quality of suppliers. This indicates a more price competitive and increasingly commoditised market, despite the lower standards offered by trading companies.

In response to the survey, which reveals that almost three quarters of respondents want more stringent standards, PIANC’s President, Geoffroy Caude said: “Although PIANC is not in a position where it may "regulate the industry" or deliver any certification, PIANC is very careful to promote best practice. We also stress that in the long term, through life cycle approaches, it is recommended to use the most adapted, strong and resistant fender protection to quays. In that respect, a working group of the Maritime Navigation Commission (MarCom) is trying to gather more information from ports about real experienced berthing velocity approaches: the new working group launched in 2009 and deals with "berthing velocity and fender design.””

“There is a need for the whole industry to come together to discuss changes to a culture that is causing unprecedented levels of downtime and putting ports at risk. We believe that PIANC should maintain a focus on what it does best – consulting the market and setting the guidelines. But, we also believe that those principles should be enshrined within a dedicated ISO standard for the design of fenders.”

The second edition of Trelleborg’s Barometer Report is now available, as a free download, from the External Link below.

The reports suggested that the reprieve may be short-lived with a period of just 3-month’s further service cited. Meanwhile, ETV operators JP Knight appeared unaware that the contract had been extended and were preparing to send their vessels for off-hire dockings.

Previously, the proposed withdrawal of the Minches-based Anglian Sovereign and the Stornoway-based Anglian Prince, along with two vessels covering the Dover Strait and Western Approaches, was expected to save £32m over four-and-a-half years, the UK government said last year.

The plans received broad industry condemnation, with the Transport Select Committee branding the proposals ’short-sighted’.

Commenting on the latest news, UKHMA President, Kevin Richardson, said: ’If reports are true, the Association welcomes the late decision for a stay of execution on the ETVs in Scottish waters.

’However, the same principle should apply around the rest of the UK. The Dover Strait ETV has been the busiest in terms of taskings over the years and the risks have not diminished.

’The regionalisation of this issue is most unwelcome and further compounds the Government’s poor appraisal and management of this issue throughout.’

On behalf of the UKHMA, Kevin Richardson has written to both Shipping Minister, Mike Penning, and MCA Chief Executive, Sir Alan Massey, to express these concerns and to seek official clarification on the extent of the reprise.

The UKHMA is an active participant in the Government-hosted working groups on alternative provisions to the ETV service, but working group members were not informed directly of the possible Scottish service extension.]]>UKHMATue, 04 Oct 2011 13:16:55 +0100Bribery Act: Worldwide Implementation Warninghttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article374
Seafarer NewsMarine Society & Sea CadetsAutumn 2011

Implementation of new Act could cause headaches, warns legal expert

The UK Bribery Act 2010, which came into force on 1 July 2011, is “a minefield for the shipping industry", warns Kevin Cooper, Partner at international law firm Ince & Co.

In his article, published on the firm’s website, he notes: “It has been reported that some shipping companies are keeping a record of any gifts or small payments that their employees or agents are obliged to make in order to ‘get things done’ locally. The idea is that if they are open about their procedures, those procedures will be deemed adequate. In truth, they run a risk that those records may well form part of the evidence against them in any subsequent investigation and prosecution.

Of particular concern, he says, is the use of "facilitation payments” made to officials to secure or speed up the performance of their duties. While these payments were already illegal under English law, the extra-territorial reach of the new Act could have serious implications, particularly in countries where a ship`s master or agent is expected to make donations or gifts to port officials. Shipowners are worried that failing to co-operate locally could result in deficiencies and delays.

“At a recent meeting between members of the shipping industry and UK government officials, a known ‘tariff’ of facilitation payments in various ports around the world was quoted as evidence of the inevitability of such payments being requested," Cooper says. “Nonetheless the Act makes it clear that all facilitation payments, no matter how minor, are prohibited unless such payments are permitted under the local written law."

Cooper notes that discussions will continue with the UK government to establish whether any reassurance can be provided during the “transitional period" following the implementation of the new Act while those subject to it reassess their procedures in light of this new regime. “Until such comfort is provided," he concludes, “shipowners will ` continue to face difficulty in deciding how best to implement the requirements of the Act.

HMS offer these courses at client’s ports or at selected venues. They offer practical as well as theoretical training and can facilitate table top and practical deployment exercises and assist with all aspects of MCA compliance in this important area.

HMS Managing Director, Alèxe Finlay, commented: "We believe in the concept of integrated response management and at all times consider the effects of an incident of pollution in the context of both business continuity and Port Marine Safety Code compliance."

The full range of HMS services may be viewed via the External Website link below. ]]>UKHMAThu, 06 Oct 2011 12:32:22 +0100RUCO Ltd: Pilots Choose High-End PPUshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article376
RUCO Ltd, UKHMA Commercial Members and UK agents for AD Navigation have announced a significant supply of Portable Pilotage Units (PPUs) by the Norway-based manufacturer to European ports.

AD Navigation is to supply the Dutch and Belgium Marine Pilots with high-end PPUs following a step change in PPU technology with its ADX range.

Marine pilots of The Netherlands and Belgium have recently placed and order for 25 of its top end PPU model, the ADX XR.

The ADX XR is a wireless PPU system that communicates with the Pilot’s portable ECS via standard wireless technology.

The complete system, delivered in a specially designed backpack, comprises of three small, lightweight, ruggedized POD units, easing transportation and installation under a variety of conditions. The design of the ADX XR is in accordance with the POADSS (Portable Operational Approach and Docking Support System) concept, which was developed under a European Marine project.

The order concludes several months of intensive development to meet the exacting standards required by the Dutch Pilot Organisation.]]>UKHMAMon, 10 Oct 2011 10:46:34 +0100ABPmer: Free Tidal Excursion Indicators Added to Renewables Atlas http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article377
ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer) has published a further freely available tidal layer as part of its ongoing development of the Atlas of UK Marine Renewable Resources.

The most recent addition illustrates tidal excursion ellipses around the UK continental shelf.

Tidal ellipses are a representation of two key properties of the tide, namely the magnitude of tidal flows and the nature of tidal rotation. The ellipses are based on tidal M2 harmonic originally developed in conjunction with Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory.

Conventionally, maximum potential power generation from tidal stream devices is achieved at locations which have a tidal ellipse that is linear in form, so that flows are delivered directly in line with the device for both the flood and ebb phases of the tide.

Knowledge of the level of linearity of the tide, as well as the magnitude of the tidal excursion is therefore key in making judgements about the suitability of a device and the commercial viability of sites.

All new layers are available on the ABPmer Renewables Channel at the External Website link below.

A larger version of the thumbnail map (left) may be downloaded using the Attached File link. ]]>UKHMAMon, 10 Oct 2011 10:55:03 +0100EMSA: Takeover of LRIT-IDE Improves Ship Tracking Data Flowhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article380
and Tracking) system.

Four times per day, 7 days per week, merchant ships around the world broadcast information about their position to satellites via the LRIT system. Information from ships is relayed by satellites to Data Centres around the world, and the LRIT system enables maritime authorities to keep a constant eye on the position of ships that form a part of their country’s fleet.

On 18 October 2011, EMSA becomes the operator of the LRIT‐International Data Exchange, or ‘LRIT‐IDE’, the central node which acts like a ‘switchboard’ tomanage the flow of LRIT information between various LRIT Data Centres around the world.

“We are extremely pleased that the transfer of the responsibility for the IDE from the US Coast Guard toEMSA has been achieved successfully” said Willem de Ruiter, Executive Director of the Agency. “Thecooperation with the International Maritime Organization and the US Coast Guard, the former operatorand developer of this system, has been very good: a positive example of international collaborationaimed at enhancing maritime safety worldwide”.

Organised by the London and Bristol Channel Branches of The Nautical Institute, this seminar forms the European contribution to The Nautical Institute Command Seminar Series 2011.

The 2011 Command Seminar Series began in the USA in April, followed by Canada in June, South Africa in September and China in October. The seminar will examine the roles of some of these stakeholders in the ship/port interface and asks if it can be made more efficient. Time is money and no more so than in the maritime industry. Vessels are getting larger and spend less time in port so any small problem can have a knock-on effect resulting in delays and extra costs.

Bringing a ship successfully into port and carrying out cargo operations involves a complex series of procedures, with the involvement of multiple stakeholders. These include: the ship and its crew; ship managers, charterers and agents; harbour authorities and pilots; terminal operators; ship suppliers, port officials, surveyors, etc. The shipmaster has to deal with all of these either directly or indirectlyand the flow of data from ship to shore and vice versa is increasing. Ship-shore communication is becoming a critical factor in ship operations and accurate and reliable information is a must for the logistics of a ship visit to a port.

The seminar will examine the practical aspects of bringing a ship into port successfully; how the workload of the ship can be managed sensibly; and to what extent do the port systems help. The legal and insurance aspects between the ship and the various stakeholders will also be examined.

The aim is to provide practical solutions to the growing demands on shipmasters, their officers and crew when calling at a port, and to understand what each element in the chain requires to make it more efficient.

To view the full Programme, click on the Attached File link below.]]>UKHMATue, 18 Oct 2011 15:39:50 +0100MMO: Marine Planning Workshopshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article383
The following marine planning workshops have been announced by the Marine Management Organisation:

Norwich 5th December**

Peterborough 6th December

Hull 7th December

As you will be aware, the MMO began marine planning in the East Inshore and East Offshore Plan areas, between Flamborough Head in Yorkshire and Felixstowe in Suffolk, in April 2011.

As part of the marine planning process, the MMO is producing an Evidence and Issues (Synthesis) report to inform the content of the marine plans. This report will provide the MMO with the information needed to form a detailed description of the plan area issues using national and sub-national policy, data and mapping and through engagement with stakeholders.

The MMO are interested in hearing views on this emerging report and invite registration for one of their workshops to explore the draft report in more detail. The aims of the workshops are:

· To gain feedback on the evidence used to ensure the MMO have taken account of all necessary evidence and interpreted it accurately

· To get views on the emerging issues and if there are any issues that have not been highlighted in the draft report

· Finally, the MMO want to gain an understanding of your future vision for the East Plan Area to feed into the marine plan vision and they will outline next steps in the plan-making process.

The MMO will be sending out information prior to the workshops to allow people to review a summary of the draft report. This will give people the opportunity to discuss emerging issues with a wide range of other interested parties. At these workshops they will be giving short presentations, but also want to encourage open discussion, interaction and dialogue to give you the chance to have your say in the development of England’s first marine plans. There will also be question and answer sessions throughout the day.

The workshops will take place in the following locations:

Norwich Monday 5th December 10-4.30pmLocation: Norwich City Football Club (5 minute walk from Norwich railway station). Free car parking available

A high level of interest is expected in these events with places allocated on a first come first served basis. Early registration is advisable. If you would like to attend, please signify your preferred location and register before the closing date of 18th November 2011 at:planning@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Due to a limited number of places, one attendee per organisation is requested.

**please note change of dates to previously advertised workshops. This is due to proposed public sector industrial action on 30th November and a clash with another event on the 29th November**

]]>UKHMAThu, 20 Oct 2011 16:33:56 +0100Hydrosphere: Helping to Make the River Crouch Saferhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article386
The major revision of Crouch buoyage has been implemented by the harbour authority in readiness for shipping bringing spoil from London’s Crossrail project entering the Crouch and unloading at the new RSPB Wallasea Wild Coast project.

Mobilis buoys for the Whitaker and Outer Crouch areas marking the 4m contour line have been supplied by Hydrosphere, dramatically changing the aids to navigation in the area providing clearly marked navigation channels.

River Crouch user Roger Gaspar explained: “It’s now so well marked, better than roadworks on a motorway, only a fool could go aground now. In some places, the river is very narrow so it’s useful to have the buoys there to make it easy for yachtsmen to find their way up.

“All the buoys are within easy sight of each other, yachtsmen can always see the next set. It’s the largest alteration of buoyage in the area for more than 20 years.”

He added: “For those not familiar with the Crouch, the Outer Crouch stripped of its aids to navigation would be entirely featureless above half tide, with few clues as to the whereabouts of the Buxey Sand to the north, Foulness Sand to the South or the ‘mid-river’ hazards that are the Swallowtail and the Sunken Buxey.

“This is a part of the estuary where quality buoyage is essential and any deficiencies in marking felt before must surely now have gone.”

The buoys – Mobilis JET2000 using THV Alert - were deployed by Trinity House acting as contractor for the Crouch Harbour Authority, with their environmentally-friendly qualities and sustainability a large factor in the choice.

Each buoy is 1.9m in diameter, 3m high and has a 3m focal height. The total weight of each is 550kg and each comes complete with a self-contained solar powered light. A modular design allows for commonality of parts, reducing maintenance, inspection, replacement and spare holding costs. The hull is made using two sections surrounding a central polyethylene core structure providing a strong, lightweight buoy able to be easily handled and maintained by small craft.

The JET2000JPE is suitable for use in nearshore locations where a highly visible navigation buoy is required and is available as Cardinal, Lateral, Isolated Danger or Special Mark, configured to meet user’s requirements of navigation lights, solar panels and battery.

It will also make it easier for users of the Crouch to enter and leave in poor visibility and at night. Up to half a dozen ships a day are expected to enter the river taking clay, chalk, sand and gravel from the construction of one of Europe’s largest civil engineering projects, Crossrail, the 73-mile rail link from Maidenhead and Heathrow, to Shenfield and Abbey Wood, to the RSPB’s wetland creation scheme, Wallasea Island, which is due to be transformed into 1,500 acres - nearly 2.5 square miles - of tidal wildlife habitat.]]>UKHMAMon, 24 Oct 2011 13:55:57 +0100Balanced Seas: Final Newsletterhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article385
Balanced Seas is a collaborative project that has been working to recommend Marine Conservation Zones around south-east England.

Marine Conservation Zones will be set up under the Marine and Coastal Access Act of 2009 to protect nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology, while taking into account socio-economic interests.

The final newsletter of this project (Issue 12; October 2011) is attached.]]>UKHMAThu, 20 Oct 2011 16:43:53 +0100Ramora: New Bomb Disposal Diving Service launchedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article387
Comprising of former Royal Navy Clearance Divers, the team will provide a truly global service, including operations in past and present conflict zones.

Able to deploy as a stand-alone, fully self contained unit from a range of vessels this new service represents considerable time and cost savings for clients, the specialist unit will undertake UXO search and disposal operations down to a maximum depth of 50m. (For operations at greater depths, Ramora UK will continue to use its proven remote-controlled REODS system).

Using many of the skills and techniques employed by Royal Navy divers, all operations will be conducted in accordance with HSE best practice and utilise state of the art diving equipments.

Outside of the armed forces, Ramora UK will be the first and only organisation in the UK providing this level of reactive UXO service. Indeed, in some areas, the company’s capabilities and experience now exceed those that can be deployed by the MOD.

Ramora UK anticipate that demand for this new service will come from a number of quarters, including the offshore oil and gas industry and, increasingly, from the offshore renewables sector.

According to David Welch MIExpE, Ramora UK’s Managing Director: “We are confident that our new UXO Clearance Diving service, a unique offering in the commercial world, will give us a truly distinctive edge and confirm our world-class expertise in the UXO field.”]]>UKHMATue, 25 Oct 2011 12:37:09 +0100RYA advises clubs and training centres to dredge before April 2012http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article389
Alana Murphy, RYA Planning and Environmental Advisor

The RYA is advising clubs and training centres to undertake any required maintenance/navigational dredging activity before 1 April 2012.

This is because as of 1 April 2012 all maintenance and navigational dredging activity will require consent through a marine licence and may attract a fee that could be disproportionate to the level of activity being undertaken.

In England, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is currently developing its management plan for administering marine licences for these previously unlicensed dredging activities. They aim to have this plan in place by April 2012.

The Department of Environment Northern Ireland, Marine Scotland and the Welsh Government Marine Consents Unit are also developing their own plans within their respective jurisdictions.

During the passage of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill in 2009, the RYA secured a Ministerial assurance to the effect that any regulatory management system for maintenance/navigational dredging will be applied “proportionately to the risk and impact of the marine activity...”.

The Minister also stated that “we are actively exploring the extent to which we can exempt low-risk dredging activities from the need for a marine licence. We want to ensure that operators doing the necessary work of keeping navigational channels clear of silt and other debris can continue to do so without unnecessary regulatory burden, but still with adequate regard to the impact of their activities.”

However, it has become clear that these Ministerial assurances had not been communicated to the MMO. In addition, because maintenance/navigational dredging has not previously been an activity subject to licence, the MMO has limited experience to draw upon in ascertaining how much it will cost to administer and therefore what the licence fee should be.

It is not clear at this stage how the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will approach this issue.

This is why the RYA is concerned that clubs and training centres could face a disproportionate fee if they leave dredging work until after April 2012.

As a separate issue, the MMO is also reviewing its current fee structure for all marine licences, including for maintenance dredging.

The RYA is already concerned that the current MMO licence fees in place for activities that require a marine licence are not proportionate or appropriate to be applied to small-scale, low impact activities such as replacing pontoons or maintenance/navigational dredging and we welcome this fee review.

Unfortunately, however, this review is planned for spring next year and the MMO does not plan to make any adjustments that may be required to the fee structure until around October 2012.As a consequence, we advise clubs and training centres that are considering undertaking maintenance/navigational dredging work to complete such work prior to 1 April 2012.

This issue is peculiar to England, since the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have developed their own fee structures.In the meantime, the RYA continues to lobby the MMO and the licensing bodies for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in an effort to ensure that the system is fair and proportionate, in terms of both the regulatory and financial burdens on clubs.]]>UKHMAThu, 03 Nov 2011 13:43:18 +0000Shipping Minister Defends ETV Decision in Letter to UKHMAhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article390
The letter (see attached) outlines a ongoing review of the need for ETV cover in Scottish waters but categorically rejects the need for ETVs in either the South West Approaches or the Dover Strait.

He again refers to the CAST agreement as a provision of ’tug assistance of last resort’, albeit that this agreement is still in the review stage and has been dismissed by many harbour masters and marine professionals as inappropriate to the task of offshore salvage provision.]]>UKHMAThu, 03 Nov 2011 15:58:49 +0000Ministerial Statement on Marine Conservation Zoneshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article393
15/11/2011

Environment Minister Richard Benyon today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:

As part of the Government’s commitment to implementing in full the provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act, we are creating a network of national protected areas in British seas to ensure our underwater wildlife flourishes in years to come. We are clear that looking after the wildlife and habitat in our seas is just as important as looking after those on land.

The Government’s first step to identifying new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in English waters was taken forward through four regional MCZ projects managed by the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies, who are Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. The regional projects provided their recommendations for proposed sites for MCZs on 8 September. These have been reviewed by the independent Science Advisory Panel (SAP) and their advice to the SNCBs and Defra is being published today on Defra’s website.

The Marine and Coastal Access Act requires the establishment of a network of conservation sites in the UK marine area. In English waters the network will comprise European Marine Sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, sites designated under the Ramsar Convention and Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). The Act requires that the network must conserve or improve the UK marine environment and protect a range of representative features.

The regional MCZ projects have done excellent work in bringing stakeholders together and making site recommendations, but it is clear from the SAP’s advice that there are a number of gaps and limitations in the scientific evidence base supporting the MCZ recommendations.

It is important that we get this right. It is vital that we have an adequate evidence base for every site if we are to create successful well-managed MCZs. An adequately robust evidence base will be essential when we come to implement management measures.

Defra will therefore be commissioning significant additional work to support MCZ designation including an in depth review of the evidence base for all the regional projects’ site recommendations and committing additional resources to carrying out seabed and habitat monitoring.

Protecting our marine environment is essential and the Government remains fully committed to establishing MCZs to contribute to an ecologically coherent UK network. However, the need to strengthen the evidence base for the MCZ recommendations means this is going to take longer than the ambitious target first put forward. We are likely to be able to designate some MCZs fairly quickly where the supporting evidence is adequate. However, for others we anticipate that more investigation will be needed before they can progress towards designation.

Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee will provide the MCZ impact assessment and their formal advice in July 2012. This is six months later than previously planned and this revised timetable will enable them to address the recommendations from the Independent Review of the Evidence Process for Selecting Marine Special Areas of Conservation (published July 2011) and take account of any further evidence obtained from the work that Defra is now commissioning. We will give careful consideration to all the advice received before undertaking formal public consultation on MCZs by the end of 2012. This consultation will include all sites recommended by the Regional Projects with clarity on how and when work on them will be taken forward. It is envisaged that the first MCZ designations will take place in 2013.

Defra and delivery partners will work together ensuring that early management measures are put in place to provide effective levels of protection for designated sites and continuing to build the evidence base for future designations. Defra will also take the opportunity, working with stakeholders and SNCBs, to look at other marine features which may benefit from spatial protection.

This phased approach to designation will also allow more scope to shape the English network taking account of sites being considered by the devolved administrations and neighbouring Member States.]]>UKHMATue, 15 Nov 2011 16:27:09 +0000Report Predicts Rise in 2012 Port Maintenance Budgetshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article394
Additionally, 90% of the owners, operators and contractors surveyed believe that maintenance is a critical or important factor for consideration in the upgrade of port operations. This is especially good news considering that over a quarter of respondents believe levels of port-side maintenance have decreased as a result of budget pressures.

However, the importance placed on maintenance overall does not seem to be translating to the specification of berthing, docking and mooring equipment. The report shows that when asked specifically about procurement of such products, only 4% of respondents believe maintenance to be the most important consideration – ranking it sixth on the list of priorities. In fact, its perceived importance in the purchase of docking and mooring products has declined by 5% compared to the 2010 Barometer Report.

Richard Hepworth, Managing Director of Trelleborg Marine Systems said: “There’s work to be done across the market to breed a culture of looking at long term costs. We are increasingly seeing a lack of focus on whole life costs and when you factor in the low prioritisation of maintenance, it’s storing up trouble ahead for ports.

“Despite good intentions, it seems that short-term cost savings are taking precedence when it comes to specifying berthing, docking and mooring equipment. There is clearly a gap to bridge between understanding the importance of maintenance, and the actions taken in practice.”

Berthing, docking and mooring equipment is a vital component in the safety and efficiency of the port environment, so it’s essential that specifiers give these products the significance they deserve.

It is vital that high quality, low maintenance products are specified to begin with, rather than retrospective action being taken when something goes wrong – leading to safety risks and costly downtime. A focus on maintenance at the beginning of the project will naturally lead to whole life cost savings.

The second edition of Trelleborg’s Barometer Report is now available, as a free download, from the External Website link below.

]]>UKHMAFri, 18 Nov 2011 18:00:11 +0000Fendercare: Expansion Plans in Great Yarmouth Announcedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article395
This new facility will provide an extensive range of support services & equipment to the expanding offshore wind industry and associated supply chain in the area. With a large set down & storage area, quay side frontage & office facilities, this investment will compliment the broad range of products & services that Fendercare and other members of James Fisher & Sons plc can provide to the renewables industry.

“Many companies with vessels in the Southern North Sea are finding it difficult to locate suitable facilities to carry out both scheduled and emergency maintenance” explains Tim Smith, Fendercare’s Renewables Sales Manager “In some cases owners and operators are being forced to return their vessels to mainland Europe to complete these service requirements, resulting in reduced operational efficiency and project over-runs. This is a situation that can only be exacerbated with the significant increase in vessels anticipated to service O&M requirements of existing installations, round 2 extensions and new round 3 projects. The investment in a second base with over 4,000 m2 of space in Yarmouth will provide a number of core services including: full mobilisation & de-mobilisation facilities (cranage up to 100T); maintenance & repair facilities; storage; fully equipped project management offices; as well as bunkering and fuelling services.”

This significant investment further underlines the commitment of Fendercare and James Fisher & Sons plc to the UK’s offshore renewables industry and in particular installations in the Southern North Sea.

“This base is part of Fendercare’s overall strategy to becoming more involved in the energy industry worldwide,” commented Eric Plane, Managing Director of Fendercare, “both in terms of the oil & gas industries as well as renewables. The facility will enable us to do what we do best: provide an excellent reliable service & it will act as a conduit to bring other James Fisher group companies services to the Southern North Sea area.”]]>UKHMAFri, 18 Nov 2011 18:03:51 +0000Coastguard Modernisation Proposals Confirmedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article396
22/11/2011

Plans to modernise the Coastguard have been confirmed by Shipping Minister Mike Penning. The proposals, which were announced for consultation in July, are designed to make the Coastguard better coordinated, more resilient to the challenges of the future and will increase the number of regular coastguard officers working in coastal communities, who provide leadership and support to the volunteers of the Coastguard Rescue Service.

The plans - which will modernise how rescues are coordinated and do not affect the services which go out to perform rescues - will create a nationally networked system of Coastguard coordination centres comprising:

• one Maritime Operations Centre, to be established in Fareham, Hants, with a back-up facility at the existing Dover coordination centre, both operating on a 24 hour basis; and

• eight Coastguard Centres, all operated on a 24 hour basis, located at Falmouth, Milford Haven, Holyhead, Belfast, Stornoway, Shetland, Aberdeen and Humber. The station at London is also retained.

Mike Penning said:

’After many years of uncertainty, these reforms provide a clear plan for the future of Her Majesty’s Coastguard. They will deliver a resilient and fully networked national rescue coordination service. They will make much better use of the talents and skills of our Coastguards and will provide more interesting and rewarding work with better pay.

’The UK coastguard has a great heritage. This is a blueprint for a 21st century Coastguard that commands even greater respect and it will provide an organisation of which coastguards themselves and all of us can be justly proud.’

Under the plans the Coastguard co-ordination centres at Forth, Clyde, Great Yarmouth, Liverpool, Thames, Swansea, Brixham and Portland will close progressively by 31 March 2015. The centre at Solent will be replaced by the new Maritime Operations Centre.

While a rescue coordination function will no longer be required in these locations, new coastal operational hubs - providing better leadership, support and training for the volunteers of the Coastguard Rescue Service - will be established at the existing sites at Liverpool, Swansea and Thames, as well as in the Clyde area, and through the further development of the MCA’s site at the former HMS Daedalus at Lee-on-Solent.

The new Maritime Operations Centre will be housed in a purpose built emergency services centre at the vacant Fire Control Centre building at Fareham. The building’s existing facilities mean that the Maritime Operations Centre can be established quickly.

How Coastguard rescues are co-ordinated has changed little over the past forty years. Currently, operations are coordinated from 19 dispersed centres with no network of national integration. This means that there is very limited resilience in the event of high demand or technical problems and it is impossible to spread the workload evenly across the system, leaving staff in one centre struggling to cope with call volumes while workloads in another may be low. The plans confirmed today will create a resilient and nationally networked system of Coastguard coordination centres as well as giving Coastguards more opportunity to develop and apply their skills, offering increased responsibility, a recognised career path and the remuneration to reflect this.

Full Report]]>UKHMAWed, 23 Nov 2011 09:27:12 +0000Consultation: East Coast Inshore and East Coast Offshore Marine Plan Areashttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article397
The MMO is now inviting views on the draft Evidence and Emerging Issues Report, in an informal consultation running until 10 January 2012.

Both an overview report and the full report are now available online. The MMO suggests some questions at the start of the Overview Report to assist respondees to specific issues. The report can be viewed at the External Link shown below.

The report looks at the data the MMO is using to inform its marine planning decisions, and also highlights issues and opportunities for a range of marine activities.

It includes:· evidence the MMO is taking account of in marine planning

· the MMO’s assessment of the evidence

· interactions between marine sectors and options for co-location

· emerging issues that the MMO needs to take account of in marine planning.

In addition, the report includes the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) scoping report which is subject to formal consultation (required under the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive). This consultation will also run until Tuesday 10 January 2012.

The MMO has combined the SA scoping requirements with the other material in the report to reduce the number of documents that could have been produced at this stage in the marine planning process.

The MMO wants as many people with an interest in the marine area to comment on the information so that they may take these views into account in progressing marine planning in the East plan areas.

Draft marine plans for East inshore and offshore areas are due to be out for formal consultation in autumn 2012.

Comments should be sent to: planning@marinemanagement.org.uk by 10 January 2012]]>UKHMAFri, 25 Nov 2011 10:59:09 +0000Helicopter SAR: Civilian contract to replace MoD provisionhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article398
The new service will see search and rescue operations provided by contracted civilian crews and the Government has today started the procurement process for a contract lasting around ten years.

Under existing arrangements, search and rescue is provided jointly by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) - operating a fleet of Sea King helicopters from eight military bases, with a further four civilian bases operated under contract to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The new arrangements will see the end of military involvement in a dedicated helicopter search and rescue service. This will allow the Armed Forces to focus their activity on front-line operations and enable the MoD to meet its previously announced intention to retire its fleet of Sea Kings by March 2016.

Shipping Minister Mike Penning said:

’Every day around the UK, people undertake a range of activities where knowing there’s a reliable search and rescue service if something goes wrong is absolutely vital.

’The current arrangements have served us well for decades, and we are grateful to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force for their great dedication in helping deliver an exemplary search and rescue service over the years. But we cannot ignore the fact that, after their sterling service to our country, the Sea Kings are nearing the end of their life and it is time to look to the future. Commercial operations are nothing new in this area - the MCA’s search and rescue functions have been provided on a contract basis for almost thirty years - and this system has served us well. This new, long-term contract will see the UK served by some of the most modern, well-equipped helicopters in the world.’

Under the plans published today, search and rescue operations at RAF Boulmer would end in 2015 and at Portland when the MCA contract expires during 2017 .The winning bidder will be then be expected to operate from ten locations around the UK, but provide at least the same level of service as at present.

Today’s announcement follows the cancellation of a previous search and rescue helicopter procurement in February this year. Under these former proposals, search and rescue would have been provided by a commercial operator through a Private Finance Initiative using a combination of military and civilian crews. The project was cancelled following the discovery of irregularities in the bidding process.

The Government expects to award this new contract in early 2013 to give the future service provider time to mobilise the new capability. ]]>UKHMAMon, 28 Nov 2011 11:16:29 +0000Container Fleets: Top Ten table Publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article399
Source: SeatradeIssue 6December 2011

The latest issue of Seatrade magazine lists an up-to-date table of the ten largest owners of container vessel fleets showing extant vessel numbers and sizes as well as vessels and TEU on order.

Maersk is by far the largest operator with a fleet of 219 vessels and a total fleet TEU of 1,165,931 units.

Amazingly, given current world trade forecasts, the owner has a further 46 vessels on order representing a fleet expansion of 44%.

The full table is attached to this notice.]]>UKHMAMon, 28 Nov 2011 12:04:52 +0000ABP Grimsby: Historic £25M Riverside Expansionhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article400
Alongside this, ABP will enter into a new long-term agreement with Volkswagen Group UK Ltd announced today, 28 November. Over £25 million will be invested by ABP in the new terminal on the river Humber, offering significantly improved access to the international automotive industry.

Specialist car-carrying ships currently berth in Grimsby’s Alexandra Dock, which is accessed through the Port’s original Royal Lock, built in 1852. The lock entrance limits ship size to a maximum of 800 cars. The GRT will offer lock-free access for two vessels carrying up to 3,000 vehicles, significantly increasing the Port’s capacity and making it more attractive to carriers. It will link directly into the Port’s extensive car storage facilities.

Volkswagen Group, the largest car manufacturer in Europe and the largest seller of cars in the UK, has been a valued customer at the Port since the early 1970s, delivering brands such as Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, and Seat.

ABP Port Director Grimsby & Immingham John Fitzgerald said, “It is fitting that such a long-term customer is key to this exciting new phase in the history of the Port of Grimsby.

“This new contract strengthens our close working relationship with VW Group and builds on the combination of Grimsby’s specialist car-handling facilities, with the expertise of GBA Group’s staff. This has successfully attracted the world’s leading car carriers to the Humber. The development of the terminal will allow us to significantly expand and will bring new job opportunities in coming years”.

Robin Slough, Head of Vehicle Operations, VW Group said, “Grimsby is at the centre of our UK logistics strategy. Its excellent links enable efficient distribution to our customers in most of England and Wales. We are delighted to support ABP’s expansion project by committing our traffic to the Port of Grimsby for the long term.”

Work will commence early in 2012, with the first ships expected to berth at the new facility in autumn 2013. ]]>UKHMAMon, 28 Nov 2011 16:36:27 +0000ABPmer: Dredging Noise Investigatedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article401
The purpose of the paper is to inform those parties concerned about sounds produced by dredgers.

The paper was prepared by the CEDA Working Group on Underwater Sound under the remit of the CEDA Environment Commission, and reviewed by experts on dredging from various professional groups including ABPmer.

Elena San Martin who represents ABPmer on the small working group said: “The position paper identifies sounds that are produced during dredging activity and compares its characteristics to sound characteristics produced by other sources of underwater sound. Potential and documented effects as well as management of dredging sound are discussed. The paper concludes by encouraging further research to reduce uncertainties on the environmental impacts of underwater sound.”

A second ferry terminal at Dover, which could double the port’s capacity, has been approved by the government.

The £400m scheme will be built "when market conditions require", the Port of Dover said.

The decision comes a day after DFDS Seaways announced it was adding an extra passenger and freight ship to its Dover-Dunkerque service.

Bob Goldfield from Port of Dover said: "This is a great day for the port and its long term future."

On 15 November SeaFrance ferry services were halted between Dover and Calais, after a French court rejected a £5m bid by DFDS to take over the company.]]>UKHMAWed, 30 Nov 2011 11:20:19 +0000Falmouth: Chancellor gives green light to £20M dredgehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article404
30.11.2011

The dredging of Falmouth Harbour could begin in early 2013, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has said.

The £20m dredging plan is part of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC) masterplan to encourage cruise ships to use the port.

FHC has said the masterplan will help create up to 800 jobs for Falmouth.

Before the go-ahead is given, a scientific trial will have to establish that dredging will not damage protected seaweed beds.

Earlier this year, the plan had been blocked by the EU over environmental fears for the maerl [calcified seaweed] beds, which act as a nursery for commercial fish stocks.

The beds only exists in a few coastal areas and can take thousands of years to form.

But FHC has said less than 2% of the maerl will be affected and it will be lifted before dredging and returned afterwards.

The chancellor’s Autumn Statement said a scientific trial to resolve the environmental issues had been agreed by FHC and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

"A decision on the developer’s marine licence application will follow if the trial succeeds," the chancellor said.

"If this application is then successful, it is anticipated that development could proceed in early 2013."

Picture caption: Dredging will have to be done without damaging calcified seaweed beds]]>UKHMAThu, 01 Dec 2011 11:43:01 +0000Coastline Surveys: Successful Completion of Challenging Contaminant sampling Workhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article405
Using the Wharf will enable very large components to be brought on site which would otherwise be too large to use road transport networks.

The team had to overcome many difficulties on the intertidal location, including tidal ranges amongst the largest in the world and unpredictable difficulties of the unexpected ground conditions.

Historical information on the site proved incorrect at times with the vibrocorer penetrating unrecorded protective concrete mats. Coastline provided core logging and reporting procedures through their new laboratories in Lowestoft.

Project Management for the work was provided by CEFAS, a UK government agency of Defra, who are EDF Energy’s programme managers for marine environment studies at Hinkley Point.

Coastal Survey’s Processes Specialist, Dean Foden, was impressed with the flexible and positive approach of the team to overcome all of these challenges in an effective and timely manner, commenting on the work “Coastline Surveys were amazingly adaptable and committed to making this project a success. I appreciate that commitment and would definitely consider Coastline for future work.” ]]>UKHMAThu, 01 Dec 2011 12:20:46 +0000UKHMA participates in House of Lords Appraisal of New Marine Nav Billhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article406
The private meeting, hosted by Bill sponsor Lord Tony Berkeley, included representatives from port, shipping and marine leisure interests, including the BPA, UKMPG, UKMPA, Chamber of Shipping and the RYA.

The discussion centred on issues previously nominated by the DfT, including Pilot Exemption Certificates, withdrawal of CHA status, General Directions and Harbour Closure Orders.

Sections of the proposed Bill concerning Harbour Master statutory qualifications were withdrawn from the draft Bill prior to the meeting.

It is expected that the revised Bill will now proceed unopposed to Committee stage in the House of Lords in late January 2012.

UKHMA Members may view Capt Baker’s report of the meeting in the Documents>>Reports section of this website.

]]>UKHMAFri, 02 Dec 2011 17:47:09 +0000PD Teesports: Dock Operations Apprenticeship Scheme Launchedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article407
2011 marks the 10th anniversary since PD Ports first introduced its apprenticeship schemes, which over the 10 years has seen 36 young people celebrate their success. This most recent scheme however is the first of its kind at the Port, which over the 18 months of training will provide the 13 apprentices with a NVQ Level 2 in Dock Operations.

Historically the apprenticeship schemes at Teesport have focussed on electrical and mechanical engineering trades.PD Ports initiated the programme in conjunction with the Redcar Development Trust, whose aim it is to support and develop the local youth and their families who want to invest in their own future.

From this PD Ports was able to identify 13 suitable candidates, ranging from 18-30 years of age and as a result, launched the tailor made apprenticeships.

David Robinson, PD Ports’ Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “This new apprenticeship programme is about raising aspirations of the young people across the region, whilst equipping them with the knowledge and skills to master a trade. With the reopening of the Redcar Blast Furnace in the New Year and the subsequent increase in steel handling at Teesport, it is our intention to help create employment for the apprentices at the end of the scheme.

“As one of the largest employers in the Teesside area, PD Ports takes its responsibility for recruiting and training very seriously and is one of our Company’s eight core values. With the majority of our existing workforce at Teesport coming from within a three mile radius of the Port, it is vital for the longevity of our business that we invest in the region’s young people today,” added Mr Robinson.

The apprenticeship scheme has been introduced just as the first group of 14 students finish their foundation degree in Leadership and Management (Ports), launched by PD Ports and Teesside University in 2009. The two year foundation degree was specifically designed for those working in the port industry.

It was delivered on a part time basis at the University with senior PD Ports employees giving practical examples of the theory the students were being taught. Of the foundation degree graduates, nine are continuing to study for their Undergraduate Degree.Mr Robinson added: “We’re delighted to partner with the local University and offer a unique degree. Hopefully it has attracted more people to the University and it gives us great pleasure to train the next generation of port managers. This degree, along with the apprentice scheme, demonstrates our commitment to training and recruiting young people from the North East region, and further afield.

“As we move into 2012, we are looking to engage with the wider industrial community on Teesside to further collaborate on issues such as training and skills, and deliver greater prospects or work, employability and skills development in the area,” concluded Mr Robinson.]]>UKHMAWed, 07 Dec 2011 15:20:34 +0000Coastline Surveys complete pre-dredge vibrocore survey in Portsmouth Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article409
Coastline Surveys Ltd has completed a major contract for a geotechnical survey and laboratory analysis in support of the MoD’s capital dredge campaign in Portsmouth Harbour.

The programme is to support the extensive upgrade and deepening of the channel.

The pre-dredge geotechnical survey involved the acquisition of 174 Vibrocore samples up to a maximum of 6m penetration depth. Coastline’s multi role survey vessel, MV FlatHolm mobilised in early December and completed all field work activities in early 2012.

David Hitchcock, Managing Director of Coastline Surveys Ltd, said “This is a major geotechnical survey and Coastline Surveys was awarded the contract despite fierce competition from much larger companies. This success highlights Coastline’s position in the market and its commitment to quality, customer service and dogged determination to deliver on time, on budget and with an excellent safety record”. ]]>UKHMAThu, 16 Feb 2012 11:48:24 +0000Red Tape Challenge Focusses on Marine Issueshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article410
Marine legislation will be reviewed under the Water and Marine theme, which is in the spotlight on the Red Tape Challenge website from 17 February until 23 March.

Attached is a letter from the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries inviting you to comment on marine legislation.

On the Red Tape Challenge website, marine legislation is divided into three areas:

Fisheries and Marine Enterprises: Conservation and Use of Marine Environment - These regulations deal with conservation of our marine ecosystems and aquatic life, and a comprehensive licensing system for potentially damaging marine activities.

Fisheries and Marine Enterprises: Freshwater and Migratory Fisheries - These regulate angling and include provisions on conservation and sustainable exploitation of freshwater and migratory fish (salmon, trout, eel); and the use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture.]]>UKHMAFri, 17 Feb 2012 14:41:23 +0000UKHMA Responds to MAIB Accident Reporting Consultationhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article411
In a written response collated by the UKHMA President, Kevin Richardson, the Association offers both General and Specific feedback to the proposals outlined in the consultation document.

The response noted that Harbour Masters are the most likely source of reporting of any marine incident occurring in a UK harbour and were therefore well placed to comment on the proposals.

The full response may be viewed in the attached file.]]>UKHMATue, 21 Feb 2012 13:54:08 +0000ABP Mer: helping to shape EU marine litter policyhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article412
ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer), is to provide specialist advice to Risk & Policy Analysts (RPA) to help the European Commission identify mechanisms for preventing and managing marine litter.

Marine litter is a growing problem which imposes an increasingly serious threat to the environment. Some of the most problematic marine litter is composed of plastic, which has a very slow rate of decomposition, leading to a gradual build up in the environment.

Marine litter may also have a direct impact on human health, as contact with chemicals leaching from the waste, as well as decomposing elements, can have adverse health consequences. Furthermore, floating debris can pose a navigational hazard for ships and cause injury to swimmers and divers.

The aim of this study is to identify various instruments to prevent and/or clean up plastic littering and thus reduce the quantity of such litter potentially reaching the sea.

Stephen Hull, ABPmer Technical Director said: “We are excited to be part of this EU study which will identify current best practices in relation to prevention and mitigation of the impacts of plastic littering. Additionally, it will assess the feasibility of different options to prevent littering and increase public awareness, including the use of economic incentives with the aim to trigger preventive and remedial action by public authorities.

ABPmer, along with Arcadis, will specifically provide advice on the sources of marine litter and also develop UK case study evidence for inclusion in the analysis of good practice.”

The project is expected to deliver its findings to the Director-General Environment at the end of the year.]]>UKHMAWed, 22 Feb 2012 15:56:15 +0000PD Teesport: First phase of investment programme completeshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article413
The works, which began in January 2011, involved the complete reconstruction of more than five hectares of the container terminal area with heavy duty paving designed to withstand the increased loads from the container stacks and the four new rubber tyre gantry cranes (RTGs).

PD Ports has invested over £16 million as part of an overall £29 million project, which will expand the container terminal capacity from 235,000 to 450,000 TEU and position Teesport as the second largest container port in the north of the UK.

]]>UKHMAWed, 22 Feb 2012 16:00:15 +0000MMO: Evidence and Issues Report for the East Inshore and East Offshore marine plan areashttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article414
The report looks at the data the MMO is using to inform on marine planning decisions, and also highlights issues and opportunities for a range of marine activities.

The report includes:•the evidence the MMO is taking account of in marine planning•the MMO’s assessment of the evidence•interactions between marine sectors and options for co-location•emerging issues that the MMO need to take account of in marine planning.

The report also includes the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Scoping Report formal consultation (required under the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive). The MMO has combined the SA scoping requirements with the other material in the report to reduce the number of documents at this stage in the marine planning process.

The full Report may be viewed via the External Link below.]]>UKHMAWed, 22 Feb 2012 16:16:09 +0000DfT: Sea Passenger Statistics 2011 publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article415
The data may be freely accessed via the website link below.]]>UKHMAThu, 23 Feb 2012 12:12:09 +0000Tideland Signal: Warning systems for Jasmine platformshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article417
Tideland’s warning systems will protect Jasmine’s wellhead and accommodation platforms as well as the Judy production platform, about 9km further west, to which the new field will be tied via a multi-phase pipeline.

Additional well slots in the Judy riser platform will handle output from Jasmine and these are bridge-linked to the existing Judy platform.

Tideland’s latest LED warning system installed both on the Judy riser platform and the two Jasmine platforms comprises a main Syncrolan light station with a range of 15 NM, Syncrolan fog signals, fog detector, two subsidiary lights, battery banks, a central alarm and monitor panel, aviation obstruction lights and intermediate structures. All the principal equipment is ATEX certified for use in Zone 1 (Cat 2) hazardous areas.

Tideland’s Syncrolan light stations combine an MLED-180-HI EX main light and a MLED-150 EX secondary light wired to an Exe junction box and mounted on a stainless steel pedestal. The subsidiary beacons are Tideland MLED-150 EX units with a range of 10NM, also wired to an Exe junction box and mounted on a stainless steel bracket.

Tideland’s MLED-150 and MLED-180 lanterns offer minimal maintenance requirements and a service life of seven years on station in the most demanding environments. Long-life LEDs and high-integrity electronics housed in a tough UV-resistant polycarbonate enclosure ensure that lantern will not need to be opened during its service life.

The fog signal stations each comprise AB-68EX main and secondary fog signal arrays mounted on a stainless steel bracket, which also incorporates two ECU 800 control units. Controls for the Syncrolan stations are located with the equipment but the central panel also indicates the status of the equipment and provides photocell override to allow the lights to be switched on during daytime and a fog signal silent switch to silence the fog signals.The Jasmine field is located in the J Block at a depth of 279 feet (85 meters). ConocoPhillips is the operator with 36.5% interest, in partnership with Eni UK, holding 33%, and BG Group, with 30.5%.

WorleyParsons provided detailed design and procurement services for the project. First production begins in the fourth quarter of 2012 and is expected to peak at more than 88,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Approved to ISO 9001:2008, Tideland Signal Limited is a British-based member of the Tideland group of companies, which specialises in aids to marine navigation. The Tideland group is independently owned and has its headquarters in Houston, Texas.]]>UKHMAFri, 24 Feb 2012 12:45:31 +0000Cabinet Minister to speak at first UKHMA Seminar in Scotlandhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article418
The popular and respected UKHMA biannual Seminar series moves North of the Border for the first time on Wed 21 March when the Spring 2012 event will be held in Edinburgh, Scotland.

In recognition of this development, the Scottish Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mr Stewart Stevenson MSP, will give a keynote address on the subject of Managing the Marine Environment in Scotland.

Mr Stevenson is MSP for Banffshire and the Buchan Coast and was formerly Transport Minister for part of the 2007-2011 administration. He was appointed to his current post after being re-elected at the May 2011 election.

To date, over 100 delegates from throughout the British Isles have registered for the Seminar, and over 25 companies will take part in the event’s associated trade exhibition.

To book, please see the attached form or call Foreshore Events on Tel: 01252 543374; email admin@ukhma.org.]]>UKHMAWed, 29 Feb 2012 12:11:09 +0000Trelleborg: 90% believe dual testing is important for berthing and docking materialshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article419
Trelleborg Marine Systems has revealed that the vast majority (90%) of the port owners, operators and contractors surveyed believe that both laboratory and full scale testing are important requirements in the manufacture of docking and mooring products.

Despite these encouraging results, it appears that the good intentions of those responsible for the procurement of berthing and docking products are not translating into best practice, with a quarter of respondents admitting to being concerned only with price rather than where a product comes from.

Richard Hepworth, Managing Director of Trelleborg Marine Systems said of the results: “Ports and contractors need to ensure that adequate testing has taken place to ensure that PIANC guidelines have been met, and that test certification applies to all factories, processes and products – not just one location or component of a product range.”

“PIANC certification is not regulated so you need to check all documentation carefully and ask suppliers for clarification over PIANC type approvals. Ignoring this can be costly and damaging in terms of reputational risk when products fail.”

For more findings from the second edition of Trelleborg’s Barometer Report, a free download is available from the External Website link below.

Beyond 31 March, the oil and gas industry has offered to support the MCA by deploying its chartered vessels in emergencies off the Northern Isles.

However, a long-term solution for the Western Isles and west Highlands had still to be agreed.

The vessels provide pollution control and, in the past, have gone to the aid of private and military vessels in distress.]]>UKHMAThu, 01 Mar 2012 12:54:00 +0000Crown Estate publishes a coastal historical resources guide for Englandhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article422
Following the publication of previous reports on the coast of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and the coast of East Anglia, this latest report draws together the historical resources by coastal region for England.

The regions identified in the report broadly align with the natural coastal ‘sediment cells’ which are used for coastal risk management and planning.

As well as identifying resources within regions, the report describes how different resources may be evaluated and validated for usefulness, and shows how they may be used.

The report may be downloaded from The Crown Estate website at the external website link below.

An additional deep-water facility at Lerwick Harbour has been brought into operation ahead of schedule to support a major subsea project in the North Sea.

Work was accelerated on an 80-metre section of the quay under development at Greenhead to make it available for use by Technip, a world leader in energy industry project management, engineering and construction.

Technip announced in September that it had been awarded a contract by Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited for the Gryphon Area Reinstatement Programme, covering installation of 15 dynamic risers, two dynamic and two static umbilicals and 11 flexible flowlines, as well as subsea equipment. Technip will utilise Lerwick Harbour as its main offshore support base during execution of this project.

Designated Berth Seven, the new quay was originally due for completion this month, but the Technip requirement meant Lerwick Port Authority advancing the timetable for most of the facility. The section was handed over by the main contractor, Tulloch Developments, on 20 February.

Early completion has enabled Technip to hire in a specialist crane erected on the port’s latest heavy-lift pad which is incorporated into the quay. The 1,250 tonne capacity Sarens crane is believed to be the biggest yet seen at the harbour.

The coaster, Abis Belfast, arrived on 27 February with the first of numerous deliveries of reels by various vessels. Yesterday (7 March), the ROV support vessel, Fugro Symphony, berthed at the new quay to collect the first of the reels, weighing up to 270 tonnes each, for installation on the field in a project expected to take around six months.

International logistics and marine service companies, Peterson SBS and GAC Shipping, are providing support to Technip from local bases.

Sandra Laurenson, Lerwick Port Authority Chief Executive, said: “Berth Seven is a common-user facility, but designed with support of offshore industry operations very much in mind. With nine-metres’ water depth and an extensive laydown area, it is another important addition at a time when larger vessels are using the port. The facility brings improvements for current users and will help attract more traffic, across a range of activities.

“The immediate use of the quay is a further endorsement of our proactive strategy in the continuing development of the port’s infrastructure and also demonstrates our flexibility in meeting industry requirements and timescales.

“Our local contractors, Tulloch Developments, and certifying engineers, Arch Henderson, are to be congratulated on their performances in achieving the early completion of the vital section.”

The remainder of the 100-metre-plus quay at the south end of the well-established Greenhead Base is due for completion during March. Initially costed at £4.6 million, the Port Authority later included further improvements through additional land reclamation and more bollards, bringing the investment to £5.3 million. The contract is supported by borrowing from the Bank of Scotland.]]>UKHMAFri, 09 Mar 2012 11:37:43 +0000Defra: Request for data and information for review of the ecological evidence supporting the recommended Marine Conservation Zoneshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article425
As part of this process, recommendations for Marine Conservation Zones (rMCZs) were developed through four Regional stakeholder-led projects covering English territorial waters and waters offshore of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This Defra-funded project has been established to build on and extend the ecological evidence-base already held by the Regional Projects, NE and JNCC. This evidence base will be used to support the designation of MCZs.

Attached is a notice inviting you to submit data and information for review of the ecological evidence supporting the recommended Marine Conservation Zones.

The study team is aware that many of you will have already supplied data and information during the data gathering exercises undertaken by the Regional Projects up to Autumn 2010, which has been invaluable in assisting with the recommendations made in August 2011.

The Regional Projects, Defra, NE and JNCC are extremely grateful for all your contributions to date. However as part of the work to search for and identify potential additional information sources, particularly any data that have become accessible since Autumn 2010, the study team would like to engage with any organisation or individual that considers that it may have such evidence that would be relevant to any of the 127 rMCZ/rRA sites.]]>UKHMAMon, 12 Mar 2012 15:39:29 +0000Hayle Harbour: Options for harbour’s future are suggestedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article426
This is Cornwall15/3/2012

Cornwall Council is preparing a draft document outlining the options for the future management of Hayle Harbour.

The document considers six possibilities, including creating either a trust port or a municipal port.

In August last year, the Dutch real estate firm ING, which currently owns the harbour, said it would transfer a hefty list of assets back into the ownership of the town.

The company proposed gifting its property to a new community trust and setting up a ground rent scheme across its outline masterplan to help fund the running and maintenance of the harbour.

Discussions involving a range of partners, including the town council and local Cornwall councillors are now taking place. The Cornishman has obtained a draft copy of the Cornwall Council document, which looks at the options and assesses them against a range of criteria.

The first option suggested is to do nothing – to have the harbour run by a subsidiary company of ING. The second option is a private company transfer, which the report notes would be a quick and inexpensive process. Option three discusses the possibility of setting up a Trust Port.

The fourth option looks at the possibility of creating a municipal port, which would transfer ownership of the port to Cornwall Council.

Option five looks at setting up a new private company and option six outlines the harbour going to a Community Interest Company.

The report will not be finalised until after a decision is made by the Secretary of State about the planning application submitted by ING for the South Quay development.

ING spokesman Gary Cartmell said no decision would be made without public consultation and that the format for the public consultation had yet to be decided.

He said: "I feel this organisation has been very effective in guiding local decisions and we would feel it’s appropriate to discuss with them in the first instance how we will consult."

Town mayor Councillor John Bennett said: "I think we are very pleased that ING is looking to hand over the land to some kind of public entity.

"It really does not matter what that entity is as long as it works and is part of the public consultation, which is making sure that we have taken everything into account."

The Hayle Harbour Support Group is strongly in favour of a municipal port and said it would campaign in its favour.

Spokesman Don McGeorge said: "The worst option for Hayle, in our opinion, would be a trust port controlled and administered by a self-governing independent statutory body (trust port). While they would have to satisfy the Department of Transport criteria, and are responsible to their stakeholders, they are not able to provide day-to-day access and engage with the public at anything like the level of a democratically-elected body like Cornwall Council."

A Cornwall Council spokeswoman said: "Research has started into a range of delivery models for the harbour and work continues on an options appraisal which will be the subject of consultation when (and if) planning permission is granted."]]>UKHMAThu, 15 Mar 2012 12:01:41 +0000ABP Ipswich: New vessels and innovative mooring arrangements boost RoRo capacityhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article427
The ’Ipswichmax’ vessels, each capable of carrying up to 160 trailers and containers, were designed specifically with Ipswich in mind and after extensive pre-design and build simulation work. The vessels have been custom built with a length of 152m and with draft and superstructure arrangements so as to enable safe transit of the River Orwell and passage under the iconic Orwell Bridge. In addition, ABP has invested nearly £0.5m in an innovative swinging wire arrangement, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, so as to enable the manoeuvring and positioning of the vessels on departure and within the 200m constraint of the River Orwell which separates the port’s extensive West Bank and East Bank facilities.

Nick Ridehalgh, ABP Port Director Short Sea Ports, said: “Historically the Ipswich to Rotterdam route has been a preferred choice for hauliers in respect of both eastbound and westbound traffic and we are absolutely delighted that CLdN has committed Capucine and Severine to the route, significantly increasing the available capacity as a result.

“CLdN’s substantial investment in the ’Ipswichmax’ class of vessel together with ABP’s investment in bespoke facilities to accommodate the vessels is clear evidence of our joint commitment to the route and recognises the strategic attraction of Ipswich’s river port location.”

A CLdN spokesman said: “The latest additions to the fleet allow us to offer a first class service on the route, with daily evening sailings from Ipswich and Rotterdam and punctual morning arrivals in both ports. This, combined with the mileage savings available through Ipswich and the excellent road access, brings a welcome boost to shippers using services to the Haven ports.”]]>UKHMAThu, 15 Mar 2012 12:05:43 +0000Free Marine and Coastal Consents Guide publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article428
Although published primarily for users in the Solent area, the content is applicable nationally.

The main target audience is marine businesses and other waterside concerns, such as sailing clubs, who need to undertake small scale development and works.

The Guide is available to view freely online at the External Website link below.]]>UKHMAMon, 19 Mar 2012 12:10:09 +0000First Seminar in Scotland Hailed a Successhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article429
The Seminar, which featured a keynote presentation by Mr Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change in the Scottish Government, was the first UKHMA event to be staged outside of London and responded to the strong membership base enjoyed by the Association in Scotland and the north of England.

An associated trade exhibition was ’Sold Out’ when over 25 companies and businesses from the port and harbour sector displayed a wide range of products and services of special relevance to harbour masters.

The meeting also saw the election of a new UKHMA President, Capt. Bob Baker (Chief Harbour Master, Forth Ports) and a new Vice-President, Capt. Martin Gough (Dock Master, ABP Humber).]]>UKHMAFri, 23 Mar 2012 16:09:09 +0000UKHMA President and Vice-President Electedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article430
In an uncontested election for both nominations, Capt. Bob Baker (Chief Harbour Master, Forth Ports) was elected President and Capt. Martin Gough (Dock Master, ABP Humber) was elected Vice-President.

In his acceptance speech, the President drew attention to the exceptional 5-year service of outgoing President, Capt. Kevin Richardson (Chief Harbour Master, Dover) and commended him for his leadership and guidance during a period of great change for the Association.

Capt Richardson was presented with an engraved cut glass ship’s decanter as a small token of the Association’s gratitude for his service.

With 30 years of experience providing specialist berthing and mooring systems for port, offshore and marine industries, Trelleborg’s Bollard Guide features comprehensive bollard data, factors to consider in the design process and specification and installation information.

The Guide underlines why different types of bollard are required for different applications and the significance of the differing performance characteristics.

Bollards are, of course, safety critical items and as such, product quality is paramount. The importance of demanding the highest standards of certification is highlighted, with tips on what to look for in a quality documentation package.

Trelleborg Marine Systems is able to work with port operators, owners and consultants from the design stage of a project to determine the most effective bollard to suit an application. The guide itself covers tee, horn and kidney bollards.

The Bollard Guide, which builds on the success of Trelleborg’s previous Fender Guides also features a number of frequently asked questions.

Associated British Ports (ABP) is launching a new marine apprenticeship training scheme at its Humber ports of Grimsby, Immingham, Hull, and Goole.

The scheme will create exciting career opportunities for local young people interested in becoming part of the operational teams that control all the shipping movements in the UK’s busiest estuary and port complex.

The four-year programme is designed to give hands-on training as a Marine Operations Apprentice. Successful applicants will learn about all aspects of marine operations within the Humber ports, including introductions into hydrography, conservancy, dredging, and pilotage.

Captain Martin Gough, ABP Dock Master Humber[and UKHMA Vice-President], said: "Despite the economic uncertainty ABP’s Humber ports are thriving. The continued development of the Green Port scheme at Hull as well as the recently-announced Grimsby Riverside Terminal highlights, among others, the extensive growth opportunities on the Humber and within the ports industry, which will mean exciting career prospects for these apprentices."

Captain Phil Cowing, ABP Harbour Master Humber and Marine Advisor to the ABP Board [and UKHMA Member], said: "ABP’s biggest asset is its employees, and the skills and wealth of knowledge of our staff throughout all our operations is what makes us the UK’s leading ports group. This new apprenticeship scheme will allow us to maintain our high standard of marine professionalism so that we can continue to provide the level of service that has made us an industry leader."

ABP’s development of the scheme complements the group’s highly successful Graduate Trainee Programme, which has been in place for almost 40 years, as well as the ompany’s existing Group Marine Training policy - recognised by the Department for Transport in the Port Marine Safety Code Guide to Good Practice as an example of best practice.]]>UKHMATue, 01 May 2012 18:22:20 +0100MAIB publishes results of Accident and Reporting Consultationhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article436
(See Report attached).

Responses to the consultation showed overwhelming support for Option 2. Of the 32 responses received, 24 favoured Option 2 while 8 had no comments to make on this point. MAIB therefore intends to proceed with Option 2 for the new regulations. A paper summarising all the

In addition, the MAIB has answered the questions raised by the UKHMA in the Association’s official response:

1. Why are other EU states willing to have direct copy out of Directive?

Looking at the arrangements prevailing in other European nations, a number of the member states that had established marine accident investigation capability before the introduction of the Directive will continue to investigate accidents to vessels outside of the scope of Directive. These include: Ireland, Denmark, Finland, France, Sweden, and Norway (the latter outside the EU). It is true that other EU states which did not have this capability have mostly applied the copy out principle.

2. What is the separation of responsibility between HSE and MAIB over stevedore dry and wet incidents?

Separate guidance will be issued on this issue after the second Permanent Cooperation Framework (PCF) meeting in November 2012. The PCF is the new European body consisting of EMSA member states and the Commission. The rules of procedure for the PCF prescribed by Article 10 of the Directive were adopted on 5th of July 2011.

3. Can we have further clarification on ’Substantial Interest’?

Separate guidance will be issued on this issue after the second Permanent Cooperation Framework (PCF) meeting in November 2012. The PCF is the new European body consisting of EMSA member states and the Commission. The rules of procedure for the PCF prescribed by Article 10 of the Directive were adopted on 5th of July 2011.

4. HSE RIDDOR reporting requirements are 7 days. MAIB’s are 3 days. Can these be harmonised?

MAIB and HSE are separate organisations with differing structures, capacities and practices. MAIB’s practices are based on experience since their founding in 1989. Therefore, MAIB will not be harmonising reporting time requirements with HSE RIDDOR.

5. Will costs be transferred to industry if DfT will not fund MAIB?

Costs will not be transferred onto industry.

6. Will we have access to EMCIP information?

EMCIP access is restricted to EU Marine Accident Organisations and their Regulatory Bodies. Once all EU states are regularly using EMCIP and inputting data, MAIB will ensure that important data trends are promulgated to UK industry.

]]>UKHMAWed, 09 May 2012 16:44:03 +0100PD Ports: Support for Apprenticeship schemehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article437
graduate and back-to-work schemes to help solve the expected shortfall in future logistics employees.

David Wilson, HR Development Manager, PD Ports, and Chris Malyon, Director of Sales and Marketing, DSV Road Limited, told attendees today at a Multimodal Exhibition seminar on staff recruitment and retention that the training and recruitment schemes that they had implemented over the past few years had proved a huge success.

Mr Malyon explained DSV had launched a graduate recruitment programme and an apprentice scheme to help recruit young and enthusiastic members of staff. Last August, the company took on 12 university graduates – 10 in DSV Road Limited and two in DSV Solutions Limited – for its sales teams and since February last year it has recruited 24 apprentices for a variety of roles, from customer service to warehouse operatives.

Both the apprentices and graduates attend training programmes, with apprentices leaving with an NVQ qualification, and to date, all 12 of the graduates are still working at DSV, while 18 of the apprentices are still at DSV and four have been placed in full time positions.

Mr Malyon said: “It’s maybe too early in the process to say we would only recruit graduates in the future, but it would certainly take a lot of consideration to recruit anyone other than graduates into sales positions for DSV Road Limited in the UK.”

He added: “Meanwhile, the apprentices are highly motivated and well trained individuals.

Also, we have the benefit of gaining members of staff that will seize the opportunity to train and move up through the organisation. So there are certainly a lot of benefits to these types of scheme.”

Mr Wilson said PD Ports had created a two year foundation degree specific to the ports industry and its business in particular to help secure its workforce of tomorrow. So far, 30 people had participated in the scheme, which involves external lectures, work placement and internal training.

The North East UK ports and logistics company had also created a dock operator apprentice scheme in conjunction with local organisations which prepares the unemployed for work and, if they successfully complete an interview, take part in an 18 month apprentice scheme at PD Ports.]]>UKHMAWed, 09 May 2012 17:52:33 +0100UKHMA Launches 2012 Bursaryhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article438
Diploma for Harbour Masters 2012-2013

The UKHMA, in partnership with IBC Academy (previously Lloyd’s Maritime Academy), is delighted to offer a contributory Bursary towards the International Diploma for Harbour Masters 2012-2013.

The course, which is delivered by distance learning over 12 months, will commence in September 2012. The Bursary will be launched officially at the UKHMA Annual General Meeting on 23 May but applications are invited from today.

Subject to final ratification, the course is expected to be verified by a UK university and count for points toward the award of an MBA.

Closing date for applications is 16 July 2012.

This Bursary is open to any current UKHMA Member (Full or Associate), or currently applying Member of the UKHMA, and covers 50% of applicable course fees (c£3200).

The Bursary offers the successful candidate:

• A sponsored place on the Diploma for Harbour Masters for the 2012 - 2013 intake • Part payment (50%) of the online course fees

Assessment of Bursary Applications

The process of judging applications for the Bursary is undertaken by Officers of the UKHMA and course managers from IBC Academy. As a guide, the judging panel seeks:

• Applications on the official application form only (see download link below);• All questions on the application form to be completed in full;• Confirmation by senior manager or independent financial source that funding for the 50% balance of course fees is secured;• Confirmation of paid-up membership of the UKHMA.

Applications are then reviewed on merit, but any that are overburdened with poor English, spelling errors, etc will be rejected. Applicants should take time to double check their applications carefully before submission.

It is expected that the results of the Bursary assessment process will be announced about one week after the closing date.

Individuals who have already applied for the 2012 course intake are welcome to apply for the Bursary and their existing course application will not prejudice the Bursary review process.

How to apply for the Bursary

To apply, simply download the Bursary Application Form by clicking on the link below.

Note: All successful recipients of the Bursary must also complete an enrolment form to secure their place and must meet the entry requirements as set out in the IBC Academy brochure.

Terms and Conditions

• The Bursary does not offer any transfer of money to a participant; • The Bursary applies to the 2012 intake of the course which commences on 19th September 2012;• The Bursary covers 50% of base online course fees and excludes optional extras such as mailed printed modules and courier delivery upgrades • Successful Bursary applicants will be required to complete the standard course enrolment form and to accept the course terms and conditions stated in the course brochure • Successful Bursary recipients must be prepared to partake in marketing concerning their award • The course does not offer any rights for invitation, travel to, or attendance to IBC Academy sites in the UK or overseas;• The decision of the award panel and IBC Academy will be final

This notice sets out detailed requirements regarding Ship to Ship Transfers of a cargo consisting wholly or mainly of oil. Additionally it incorporates guidance on the revised Annex I of MARPOL 73/78 which addresses STS operations.

This Notice is given statutory force by the Merchant Shipping (Ship to Ship Transfers) Regulations 2010 as amended by the Merchant Shipping (Ship to Ship Transfers) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 and should be read in conjunction with those Regulations, which specify in detail what can and cannot be transferred and the penalties for any offences that are committed.

Key points

• Ship to Ship transfers, including most bunkering operations, outside of port authority areas are prohibited within the UK territorial sea with the exception of an identified area near Southwold on the east coast, for operations

• For transfers within the area this notice establishes detailed technical requirements to apply to STS operations including a need to provide 72 hours notice

• Outside of the UK territorial sea but within the UK Pollution Control Zone, ship to ship transfers are permitted but must be notified to the MCA no less than 48 hours before the transfer on a ‘for information’ basis

• Additionally UK flagged oil tankers involved in STS operations internationally are required to carry a plan prescribing how to conduct STS operations in line with MARPOL Annex I.]]>UKHMATue, 12 Jun 2012 16:43:38 +0100Tideland: More racons round British and Irish coastshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article444
In most cases, the Tideland racons are being installed to replace older and less capable racons. One of the key features of the SeaBeacon 2 System 6 is its dynamic range, sensitivity of -50dBm for both X- and S- Band, and output, making it visible from greater distances.

Because of its extremely economical power consumption, it is highly suitable for remote, solar-powered installations as well as offshore and mains-powered installations.

SeaBeacon 2 System 6 can respond simultaneously and with a unique level of frequency accuracy to both X and S-band radars, even those with very narrow receiver bandwidths. The design gives operators an exceptionally clear indication of its identity and location and proportional scaling ensures that the racon trace remains clearly visible on radar displays regardless of the range scale selected.

Another feature of the Tideland racon is that it can be programmed quickly and easily by the user at sea, rather than having to be pre-programmed in the factory. The GLA’s vessels carry a contingency stock of SeaBeacon 2 System 6 racons on board so that they are immediately available to replace older racons as they fail.

Tideland has supplied over 800 System 6 racons to customers all round the world, one of whom has calculated that cost-of-ownership is less than 5% of the initial investment. Tideland’s racons have proven extremely economical and reliable in operation, particularly compared with competing models, having established an average trouble-free service life to date of over 14 years for the System 6 model.

A DRUNKEN thrill-seeker put lives at risk when he took friends for a ride in his speedboat. Oliver Brooks (pictured) led police on a two-hour chase of “sheer lunacy” along the Tyne.

The 24-year-old caused mayhem as he drove in front of fishing boats and a Nissan car transporter ship, while his passengers urinated overboard.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard how Brooks’ cost the taxpayer at least £1,700, as the police helicopter and marine crews, and the RNLI lifeboat were all called out.

Brooks, of Blucher Road, North Shields, admitted charges brought by river watchdog the Port of Tyne, for drink driving and dangerously driving the boat, breaking a speed limit, driving in the wrong direction, and without due care and attention.

Keith Ahmed, chairman of the magistrates, told Brooks: “The law says this is a non-prisonable offence. You were lucky that no one was killed.

“You have committed an act of sheer lunacy when you think of the damage you could have caused and the life you put at risk.”

Bill O’Grady, prosecuting on behalf of Port of Tyne, said the alarm was raised at 7pm on October 14 last year after the boat had left Newcastle’s Quayside.

He said: “It was reported that four males were on a boat drinking, jumping around, playing music and generally making a nuisance of themselves.”

Mr O’Grady said the boat, called Sea Hawk, had no lights on, and Brooks ignored requests from the police to stop, before being followed by the police helicopter.

He said the boat drove dangerously close to the car transporter, near South Tyneside College’s Marine Safety Training Centre, in Wapping Street, South Shields, formerly known as the South Tyneside Seamanship Centre.

Mr O’Grady added: “The vessel had been driven at speed, in the wrong direction, and also in an erratic manner.

“Also, at times some of the males on board were urinating overboard into the river.

“The boat was driven directly across the path of the car transporter causing a danger to such a degree that the transporter’s skipper blasted the fog horn twice as a warning.”

The boat was navigated into the Royal Quays Marina in North Shields, before Brooks was arrested.

Defending himself, Brooks, said: “It was my drunken stupidity and I am sorry for the bother I have caused.”

He was fined £110, and ordered to pay costs of £2,000, and a £15 victim surcharge.]]>UKHMAThu, 14 Jun 2012 17:18:49 +0100AGM 2012: Draft Minutes Publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article446
The briefing by Guest Speaker, Mr Hugh Shaw, SOSREP, and the full meeting slide show is available for Members to view via the Seminar Documents section of the website (login required).

Details:The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and Natural England have presented the formal Advice Package on 127 recommended Marine Conservation Zones to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). This advice marks the latest step towards the Government’s objective to create a well-managed network of Marine Protected Areas to help protect the range of habitats and species in our seas by the end of 2016. The Advice Package is being provided to Defra to support the decisions the Environment Minister will make on the designation of MCZs after a formal public consultation is held (the consultation will start in December 2012).

The process for making recommendations on where MCZs could be located has been unique, since sea users have been at the centre of it. For two years, four regional MCZ projects have worked extensively with specially formed groups of regional stakeholders involving representatives of different organisations, regulators, interest groups and individuals whose activities might be affected by MCZs. Balanced Seas represented the south-east; Finding Sanctuary the south-west; Irish Seas Conservation Zones the Irish Sea; and Net Gain represented the North Sea. These four regional MCZ projects submitted their final recommendations to JNCC and Natural England in September 2011.

Since then, JNCC and Natural England have assessed the ecological implications of the four projects’ recommendations for MCZs, and the ecological evidence base for the sites. At the same time, economists from the four regional MCZ projects have prepared socio-economic impact assessments for each MCZ, as well as for all the sites combined.

All of this information – the regional MCZ projects’ recommendations (from September 2011), the regional MCZ projects’ impact assessments, and JNCC and Natural England’s formal advice regarding the ecological evidence – is being brought together to make up the Advice Package presented to Defra on 18th July.

Next steps:Between now and the end of the year, Defra will assess each component of the Advice Package and will provide its own impact assessment, which will be used during the three month public consultation that will open in December 2012. Following the consultation, it is anticipated that the Minister will select:

· Sites that are backed by robust evidence, to designate in summer 2013

· Sites where further evidence is required, to designate at a later stage

· Sites that are not considered suitable to progress

Once the first wave of MCZs is designated in summer 2013, JNCC and Natural England will provide their conservation advice packages for each site to help inform how these sites should be managed. Management measures will be proposed by the appropriate regulatory authority for each designated MCZ and finalised following local consultations and input from sea users and other interested parties.

James Marsden, Director Marine at Natural England, said: “The formal handover of the Advice Package marks the latest stage for Marine Conservation Zones, and provides Government with a comprehensive ecological assessment of the recommended MCZs that will be subject to wide-ranging public consultation in December. Over the last three years, the four regional sea user groups have put in a huge amount of effort to produce their recommendations, and we are enormously grateful for their immense hard work and dedication. Natural England and JNCC commend the work that has been done and the process used to steer this project through safely to the next important phase.”

John Goold, Director of Marine Advice at JNCC, said: “Since the recommendations were handed over to JNCC and Natural England last September, we have been assessing how well these recommended sites meet the ecological guidance set out at the start of the project. The regional MCZ projects’ recommendations are an epic achievement by a huge number of people, and we estimate that the organisations engaged by the regional MCZ projects have, through their membership, shared data representing over 600,000 stakeholders. The recommendations show good progress towards achieving an ecologically coherent network, with the aim of combining recommended MCZs with existing MPAs. We are pleased to submit our advice to Defra, so they can begin to evaluate it in earnest, and we look forward to the next steps.” ]]>UKHMAThu, 19 Jul 2012 11:12:59 +0100Innovative fender system offers maintenance and safety advantageshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article451
For a typical fender frame system, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear pads, which act as the contact faces for the vessel in berthing, are fixed directly to a fixed frontal frame via a bolt fastening arrangement.

Over time, in berths with a very high or heavy usage, large ships or arduous weather conditions – or a combination of the three – these UHMWPE wear pads wear away due to abrasion with the ship’s hull.

Trelleborg have found an alternative to this system, in which the UHMWPE wear pads are bolted onto two stainless steel removable panels. These panels are then inserted into a guide rail on the front face of the fixed frontal frame.

Richard Hepworth, President of Trelleborg Marine Systems, said: “We are always working to develop new and innovative systems that will help ports to operate more efficiently. Thanks to our in house design and engineering expertise, and our manufacturing capability, we were able to design and test the new DFM system – and we’ve already successfully implemented this technology in three projects.”

One such project that utilised the DFM Fender System was a major terminal expansion in Australia, which involved the refurbishment of two berths. The terminal in question is one of the top five largest bulk handling ports in the world. Once refurbishment is complete, it will see the port’s capacity increase from 44 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to approximately 55 mtpa by 2014.

The DFM fender system allows the sliding panels to be easily lifted out of the frontal frame and replacements reinserted within two hours – reducing downtime on the berth and keeping operations running in a timely fashion.

The original sliding panels would then be transported onshore for maintenance and have their UHMWPE wear pads replaced, ready to be used as spares for the next fender wear pad change-out operation.

This system also reduces the safety risks associated with completing the pad replacement work from a workboat. The downtime experienced when using a maintenance scaffold system to complete the same task is very much reduced too.

Increasingly, Trelleborg have been providing turn-key solutions for fender systems and as such, tend to get more involved in the design of accessory products, such as fabricated steel maintenance platforms, that are complimentary to the core fender system. ]]>UKHMAMon, 23 Jul 2012 17:20:16 +0100IMCA: Free guidance on mooring practice in port for offshore vesselshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article452
The book is designed to ensure safe mooring with zero incidents for offshore vessels in ports and harbours worldwide.

“Mooring accidents are always on the list of personal injury accidents, often resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities,” explains Jane Bugler, IMCA’s Technical Director.

“Indeed, many people who read this guidance will remember some form of mooring incident. Whether it be a near miss or an accident, it should serve as a reminder that mooring and casting off a vessel is a potentially hazardous operation that should always be well planned by way of risk assessments and comprehensive procedures.

"The maintenance of all ship’s equipment is important, but it appears that mooring equipment can sometimes be forgotten about. Ours is a very simple message: ‘Look after all your mooring equipment and it should contribute to a safer operation’.”

Like all IMCA guidance, it is available for free-downloading from the IMCA website for members and non-members alike.

]]>UKHMAThu, 26 Jul 2012 15:37:06 +0100RIN Fellowship for Tom Drennanhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article453
The award was presented by the RIN President on 11th July at the Royal Geographical Society in London (see photo) and was given:

In recognition of his contribution to safety in port areas through the development of port risk assessment and navigational safety management systems.]]>UKHMATue, 31 Jul 2012 13:48:29 +0100Engineering work to begin on Nab Tower lighthousehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article454
The iconic Nab Tower’s structure has been gradually deteriorating following almost a century of battling the elements and in recent years this deterioration has increased to an unacceptable and dangerous degree. At present the helicopter pad is off-limits to helicopter landing and boat access is almost untenable due to the poor condition of the external superstructure.

Trinity House has commissioned a project to extend the structure’s lifespan by at least 50 years, by reducing the structure’s height, removing all external steel and cladding the existing concrete sub-structure in gun-applied concrete.

Nab Tower is located in the eastern approaches to the Solent (50040’.05N 00057’.07W). Originally built as a defensive structure in Shoreham for the Admiralty in 1918, it became redundant when the First World War ended.

Trinity House occupied part of the tower from 1920 onward, installing a light to replace the Nab lightvessel, with the structure remaining under the control of the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The station was staffed as an offshore lighthouse, with three keepers who were relieved monthly, until the lighthouse was automated in 1983. The MOD built the helicopter deck and internal reinforced concrete caisson prior to Trinity House acquiring the freehold in 1984.

The Nab Tower was conveyed by the Secretary of State for Defence to Trinity House by deed on 21 May 1984.

The Trinity House Examiners’ navigational requirements as at 2010 specified a need for a fixed main light of a 12 nautical mile range, a fog signal range of two nautical miles, AIS and a RACON.

The remodelled structure will support the requirements of the aid to navigation into the future and result in reduced maintenance costs as the station will be able to be attended by Trinity House vessels without the need for a helicopter.

The work will complete in the summer of 2013 with a break over the winter to avoid the seasonal weather.]]>UKHMAFri, 03 Aug 2012 16:07:00 +0100Redbay Boats make waves in the export market with latest vesselhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article456
Belfast TelegraphBy David Elliot Monday, 20 August 2012

A [UKHMA Commercial Member and] County Antrim boat building company expects to take on five new employees after launching a new vessel for the export market.

The 16-metre Stormforce 1650 vessel is made by Redbay Boats and is expected to be used across the world as a pilot boat or a ferry with a capacity for 30 passengers.

Tom McLaughlin, managing director of Redbay Boats, said the latest model strengthens the company’s offering. “This landmark project will build on the continued success of our Stormforce range and help to generate additional sales among new and existing customers, including passenger carriers, fisheries, coast guard and border agencies,” he said.

Aside from the Stormforce range, the firm, which currently employs 20 people, designs and builds fibreglass fishing boats and rigid inflatable boats for both commercial and leisure customers.

It was helped by Invest NI in the development of the new vessel.

“As well as assisting in the extension of our premises, Invest NI has provided technical and financial support in the development and marketing of our products and helped us to develop the skills of our team.”]]>UKHMATue, 21 Aug 2012 15:51:51 +0100UKHMA Strategic Plan 2012 publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article458
Strategic Plan 2012: a Rolling 5-year Programme covering the period 2012-2016, incorporating the proposals approved at a meeting of the Strategic Plan Working Group in May.

In recent years, the UKHMA has achieved the status of a respected and dynamic professional organisation. A fast-growing membership expects levels of expert support and member benefits appropriate to a modern organisation.

As a consequence, substantially greater demands are now placed on the limited resources of the Association. Also, the UKHMA’s influence among government and industry forums has grown enormously, leading to additional, and mainly unplanned, demands on the Association’s physical and financial capabilities.

The UKHMA Council continually monitors these developments and frequently debates these issues.

To assist Council in these deliberations, a Strategic Plan Working Group is convened annually – comprising the President, Vice-President, Past President, Hon. Treasurer and Secretary - to determine the current and future needs of the Association and to clearly identify these in a strategic setting.

As a dynamic document, input is invited and encouraged from throughout the membership via the Association’s active and popular online Forum.]]>UKHMAWed, 22 Aug 2012 17:45:47 +0100DfT: Port Freight Statistics Publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article464
Provisional annual statistics are updated in June and detailed final annual statistics are published in September.

Key points

Year ending Q2 2012 compared with year ending Q2 2011 •Total port traffic (tonnage) in the year ending Q2 2012 was down 1 per cent on the year ending Q2 2011. •The number of units of all types handled in the year ending Q2 2012 was down 2 per cent compared with the year ending Q2 2011.

Latest quarter compared with same quarter of previous year •Tonnage in Q2 of 2012 was down 3 per cent compared with Q2 2011. •The number of units of all types handled in Q2 2012 was down 3 per cent compared with Q2 2011.]]>UKHMAThu, 13 Sep 2012 10:47:19 +0100UKHMA Autumn Seminar Programme publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article465
With an exceptionally high level of early registrations, the organisers confidently predict that record numbers of harbour masters from throughout the British Isles will attend the one-day event.

Topical presentations include an update on the Pilot Exemption Certificate issue, an evaluation of the PMSC risk assessment process, a fresh look at training new entrant pilots, and a review of legislation modernisation from MCA Director, Philip Naylor.

The conference session is supported by an associated trade exhibition.

Full details and booking forms are attached.]]>UKHMAMon, 22 Oct 2012 17:22:31 +0100UKHMA submits position paper on PEC issue http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article467
The Bill, which received its third reading on 30 November, is sponsored by Mrs Sheryll Murray MP and replaces the similarly named Bill proposed by Lord Berkeley.

The UKHMA position is outlined in a letter to Mrs Murray, attached herewith.]]>UKHMAFri, 30 Nov 2012 16:47:22 +0000New rights for maritime passengershttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article468

The EU Regulation, which will apply to most cruise and ferry services operating within the EU, also provides disabled persons or those with reduced mobility the same rights and accessibility assistance when travelling by water, as they have in other transport sectors.

Shipping Minister, Stephen Hammond, said:

“It is important that passengers receive protection across all modes of transport, enabling them to travel with increased peace of mind throughout the EU. While no one enjoys disruption to their travel plans, I am pleased that this new EU Regulation will provide passengers with the right to assistance in cases of cancelled or delayed departures. I am also pleased that this new regulation provides disabled persons or those with reduced mobility the same rights and accessibility assistance when travelling by water, as they have in other transport sectors.

“Most journeys run smoothly. On the rare occasions when things do go wrong, it is important that passenger complaints are taken seriously and dealt with effectively at the appropriate level. So in this respect, I am extremely grateful to all the bodies that have agreed to undertake voluntary complaint handling roles. This demonstrates collaborative working between Government and industry at its best.”

For the purposes of implementation, the Passenger Shipping Association has agreed to act as the voluntary complaint handling body for England and Wales, with London TravelWatch retaining responsibility for services operated and licensed by Transport for London. The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland and the Scottish Government have also agreed to take up similar roles in their respective areas.

Bill Gibbons, Director of the Passenger Shipping Association, said:

“We are pleased that the Shipping Minister and the Department for Transport have selected us as the voluntary complaints handling body for Maritime Passenger Rights in England and Wales. Over the past two years we have worked very closely with DfT officials together with our member cruise and ferry companies to achieve a successful implementation. We are confident that the industry as a whole will continue to offer customers an excellent service and will deal effectively with any complaints that arise through this new regulation.”]]>UKHMATue, 18 Dec 2012 12:47:50 +0000ABPmer: Interactive Port Management Tool Commissionedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article469
The system, based on ESRI ArcGIS Server and Geocortex, will initially be populated with environmental information such as designations, flood risk projections, and climate change scenarios but will be expanded in the future to include asset, property and customer information.

Claire Brown, Head of GIS and Data at ABPmer said: “We have been developing various web-based tools for sharing data in recent years – such as WebVISION our interactive data and information portal at http://vision.abpmer.net. We have also been providing interactive maps for harbour authorities for some time, so we are delighted to bring these two services together in this management tool for ABP. By overlaying various layers of information, Port personnel will shortly be able to holistically understand a port’s operations and how it interacts with the surrounding environment.”]]>UKHMAWed, 02 Jan 2013 12:41:38 +0000MMO: Latest marine planning newsletter publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article470
The issur includes information on the marine planning workshops in the South marine plan areas, draft marine plans for the East, our duty to co-operate, evidence-gathering projects, out and about diary, team changes and new recruits.]]>UKHMAThu, 21 Feb 2013 13:30:36 +0000ABP receives consent for Southampton approach channel dredgehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article471
The dredging, in Southampton Water and the Solent, is part of an extensive programme of investment centred around improving the capability of the port to receive the largest vessels in the world long into the future. The consent marks the final piece in the jigsaw of licences, consents and permissions to complete the programme.

Although Southampton is blessed with a unique double tide that ensures a wide access window for shipping, the requirement for deeper drafted vessels to call at facilities such as Fawley Oil Refinery and the container terminal has placed some limitations on access.

The work will see the main navigational channel used by commercial shipping deepened from a current minimum depth of 12.6m, at various points along its length of 25 nautical miles. The channel will also be widened to 100m in some areas to allow vessels to pass one another as they enter and exit the port.

More than 23 million tonnes of material will be dredged along the route, from the Nab Channel to the east of the Isle of Wight through the central Solent and extending as far as the most northerly berth of the container terminal in the Test Estuary. The material will be taken to a licensed deposit ground, located in the English Channel to the south east of the Isle of Wight.

The dredging works will:

- improve the safety of navigation; - improve the ability of vessels to pass each other in the approaches to the port; - increase the marine tidal access window for large vessels; and - safeguard existing direct and indirect port-related jobs by ensuring that the Port of Southampton remains a competitive and viable deep-sea port into the future.

ABP has proposed a series of measures to minimise the effects of the works on the environment. As well as managing water quality and monitoring sediment levels, a compensatory intertidal habitat scheme is in its advanced stages of completion at Cobnor Point in Chichester Harbour. The scheme will provide a new home for water voles, a protected species native to Britain’s coast and inland waterways.

The consent follows hard on the heels of permission to widen the channel at Marchwood, work which is now underway.

ABP Port Director Southampton, Doug Morrison, said: “This is fantastic news for the long-term future health of the port, for the 12,000 people reliant on it for work and for our customers who can be assured that we will continue to welcome their vessels to the port in the years to come.

“As shipping gets bigger, the port needs to adapt in order to retain its place at the forefront of the industry and to continue to be able to meet our clients’ needs.

“The dredging works are just the latest in a series of investments by ABP in safeguarding the future of the Port of Southampton, including the ongoing work to redevelop the container terminal that is so important to the region’s future economic prospects.”]]>UKHMAThu, 21 Feb 2013 16:43:07 +0000UKHO: Warning of dangers posed by counterfeit nautical chartshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article472
The UKHO has recently observed an increase in the number of counterfeit versions of its Admiralty charts and publications in circulation.

Counterfeit documents do not satisfy the carriage requirements of the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as they have not been issued officially by or on the authority of a Government, authorized hydrographic office or other relevant government institution. Their carriage may also fail to satisfy (and may be contrary to) the laws of Flag State Authorities and Port State Control, as well as increasing the safety risk for vessels, crews and cargoes.

Furthermore, carriage of counterfeit documents is against the law in all countries that have signed the Berne Convention on copyright, which includes the vast majority of nations.

John Dawson, Head of Marketing at the UK Hydrographic Office, said:“The UKHO urges all purchasers, users, inspectors and regulators to be vigilant for counterfeit Admiralty charts and publications. Because counterfeit versions have not been through the same rigorous checking procedures as official Admiralty charts and publications, they cannot be trusted for voyage planning or navigational purposes. As well as failing to comply with SOLAS carriage regulations and possibly also Flag State and Port State Control regulations, the use of counterfeit charts and publications poses a serious risk to vessel safety.

“We are actively seeking to stop the production and sale of counterfeit copies of our charts and publications and have raised our concerns with the International Maritime Organisation,the International Hydrographic Organisation and Flag States. We also encourage anyone that suspects they may be in possession of counterfeit products to get in touch with us.”

UKHO has produced a simple guide to help users and inspectors to distinguish official Admiralty charts and publications from counterfeit versions. Official Admiralty charts bear the Admiralty ‘Flying A’ watermark within the paper and will carry a ‘thumb label’ strip on the reverse with the Admiralty logo, chart number, geographical area, barcode and date.Suspect charts and publications can also be identified by comparing them against official Admiralty versions, where variations may be spotted in the look, feel and weight of the product, the colour tone and strength of the ink, the folds on charts and the height and binding quality of publications.

Anyone with suspicions over the authenticity of their Admiralty charts and publications is asked to contact the UKHO by emailing customerservices@ukho.gov.uk. Copies of the UKHO’s guide to identifying genuine Admiralty products can also be downloaded from the external link below.]]>UKHMAFri, 22 Feb 2013 10:34:13 +0000MMO: Marine planning workshops report publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article473
As a consequence, the MMO held South marine plan area workshops on 28 to 30 January 2013 in Exeter, Southampton and Brighton to introduce marine planning in the South plan areas. The events were attended by more than 170 people from different organisations representing a range of interests including different sectors, such as tourism and recreation, ports and shipping, aggregates, local authorities, consultancies, conservation and environmental interests, coastal forums and central government among others.

The aims of the workshops were for delegates to:• meet the MMO team for an introduction to marine planning and the marine planning process,• discuss ways to get involved in the marine planning process• to let the MMO know a bit more about the character and some of the key issues for the south marine plan areas• to contribute to the development of the Statement of Public Participation (SPP).

Reports and presentations from the workshops are available from the external website link below.]]>UKHMAMon, 25 Feb 2013 13:27:19 +0000New research highlights growing safety concerns for North Sea shipping traffichttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article474
EU-part-funded project suggests e-Navigation technologies and services will be crucial for offshore wind turbines, oil/gas platforms, and shipping traffic to co-exist safely in the North Sea Region.

ACCSEAS (Accessibility for Shipping, Efficiency Advantages and Sustainability) has detailed new research predicting significant safety concerns over excessive demands on the North Sea’s marine areas, which currently hosts some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

Based on expectations about the impact of areas of open sea being allocated for energy extraction (such as wind farms), ACCSEAS’ research, which is part-funded by the European Union, suggests that the North Sea Region’s navigable space will be reduced. The research indicates that navigable space allocated to wind farms could increase by up to 5,240% within just a few years, from the current c.440km² up to c.23,500km². This would constitute c.5.5% of all navigable space in the region, with a further 860km² (0.1%) taken up by exclusion zones around oil and gas platforms. Crucially, the precise location of many planned and proposed wind farm sites means that they could have a significant impact on key shipping lanes in the North Sea Region.

According to ACCSEAS, the size and location of such sites, coupled with projected increases in shipping traffic and vessel size, poses serious safety and efficiency concerns.

ACCSEAS is an EU part-funded project involving 11 partners from across the North Sea Region. Its aim is to research the extent of these issues and to develop and demonstrate e-Navigation technology solutions and potential service provisions that will be crucial to ensuring future maritime safety and accessibility in the North Sea. It uses a Geographic Information System to assess maritime traffic trends and the issues that obstruct available safe access.

E-Navigation is an initiative mandated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to harmonise and enhance navigation systems by electronic means. These e-Navigation technologies are being developed to facilitate the collection, integration, exchange, presentation and analysis of maritime information onboard and ashore, for safety and security at sea and the protection of the marine environment.

Alwyn Williams, ACCSEAS Project Manager, commented, “Renewable energy deployments such as the wind farms proposed in the North Sea Region will play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and decreasing the dependency on nuclear energy, but they could also pose a significant threat to maritime safety as shipping traffic continues to grow. The shipping community wholeheartedly supports the renewable energy agenda, and we believe that e-Navigation technologies have the potential to reduce these risks through safer, more accurate navigation in order for turbines, other offshore obstacles, and ships to co-exist safely in the North Sea Region.”

This latest research will set the agenda at the forthcoming ACCSEAS Annual Conference at the Flensburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany, March 5-7th, which includes transnational stakeholders from the UK and Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Norway. It is hoped that the event, which includes a series of collaborative workshops, will produce tangible outcomes for identifying and developing solutions to address the concerns of all stakeholders. Participation in the ACCSEAS Annual Conference is open and free of charge.

Dr. Thomas Porathe, Marine Human Factors Researcher at Chalmers University of Technology said, “One of the biggest problems is that there is no formal consultation programme with the transnational shipping community when projects such as offshore wind farms are planned. There needs to be much stronger collaboration and co-operation between industry organisations and governmental administrations in order to achieve solutions that reflect the interests of all parties.”

David Balston, Director of Safety and Environment at the UK Chamber of Shipping, added, “We share the support expressed by ACCSEAS for the offshore renewable energy agenda and also support their initiative to explore the potential benefits of e-Navigation and its associated technologies.

“Greater navigational accuracy from e-Navigation technologies will help lead to safer seas but this alone can not remove all risks associated with navigating in the vicinity of offshore wind-farms. Responsible planning that avoids co-locating turbines in areas of high shipping density is of paramount importance if the risks are to be minimised.”

ACCSEAS will be demonstrating a prototype resilient PNT system, integrated into the bridge of a vessel for the first time in trials running from 26th February – 1st March at Harwich, UK. The purpose of this demonstration is to highlight GPS vulnerability and show the benefit of having a resilient PNT solution in mitigating against GPS service denial.]]>UKHMATue, 26 Feb 2013 17:43:38 +0000MMO: Ports invited to contribute to satisfaction surveyhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article475
The MMO estimate that it will take approximately five minutes to complete the survey.

The 2013 survey may be accessed via the external website link below.]]>UKHMAFri, 01 Mar 2013 10:08:06 +0000ABPmer to Undertake a Regional Environmental Assessment for Renewable Energy Development in Alderneyhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article477
Commercial Member, ABPmer, a leading UK marine environmental consultancy, has been appointed by Alderney Commission for Renewable Energy to prepare a broad-scale regional assessment of the potential environmental impact of possible future renewable energy development in Alderney. This is largely focused on tidal stream development within Alderney’s territorial waters.

The study will provide a baseline description of Alderney’s environment and assess the potential effects arising from possible renewable energy development including the cumulative effects of other development. Relevant mitigation and monitoring requirements will also be identified.

Dr Stephen Hull, ABPmer Technical Director, said: “We are excited to be undertaking this piece of work for the Commission. The assessment will also inform and provide the context for the consideration of any project specific Environmental Impact Assessments that will be undertaken by individual project developers. The study will help the Commission to ensure that renewable energy development is taken forward in a way that respects Alderney’s natural environment and is compatible with existing human activities.”

ABPmer is a recognised specialist in both regional and Strategic Environmental Assessments having undertaken broad-scale assessments in the marine environment for a range of sectors, including offshore wind, wave and tidal power, coastal flood risk and management, marine aggregates and ports.]]>UKHMAMon, 04 Mar 2013 14:56:31 +0000UK Sea Passenger Statistics 2012http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article478
Final sea passenger statistics will be published in autumn 2013, including data for passengers on international cruises and long sea journeys and passengers on domestic river crossings and inter-island domestic routes, which are currently not available for 2012.

Key points

•In 2012, there were 19.7 million passengers on international short sea routes, a fall of 7% from 2011.

•Thames and Kent ports handled 12.0 million passengers in 2012, continuing their position as the largest port group in terms of passengers handled.

•In 2012, Dover to Calais remained the most popular international passenger route carrying 9.4 million passengers and accounting for 48% of all short sea international passengers.

Follow external website link below for statistics download]]>UKHMATue, 05 Mar 2013 17:01:22 +0000Port safety regulations should not be relaxed, warn MPshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article479
In a statement published today on marine pilotage, the Transport Committee questions whether the Department for Transport is striking the appropriate balance between its role as a regulator of port safety and its aim to promote the commercial attractiveness of UK ports.

This follows a conclusion by the Transport Select Committee [from evidence presented] that most ports fail to confirm to Government that they comply with best practice guidance on port safety and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has the resources to conduct just four port ’health checks’ each year.

The Committee also heard how representatives of marine pilots lack confidence that the Department for Transport understands their concerns and the requirements of their work and shares their aim of enhancing maritime safety.

Committee Chair Louise Ellman MP said: "Overall, UK ports have a good safety record but where problems occur there can be terrible consequences in terms of loss of life, pollution and damage to property. We cannot tell to what extent ports follow Government guidance on port safety because most fail to confirm to Government that they comply with the guidance. There are also few publicly available statistics about accidents and near-misses in ports. This has to change."

The Committee is opposed to a proposal, supported by Government, to relax the rules on the granting of pilotage exemption certificates to more junior navigating officers which could jeopardise safety. If the Government insists on pressing ahead with this change, the Committee recommends that the impact of the change should be monitored*.

"Marine pilots play a vital role in keeping our ports safe. The message we received from marine pilots was the same as we have heard from coastguards – they feel that the DfT does not understand what they do, and pursues a ’light touch’ approach to regulation that undermines vital safety issues. Ministers have a lot of work to do to regain the confidence of marine professionals, such as pilots and coastguards," adds Ellman.

Other recommendations include that: - the Maritime and Coastguard Agency should broaden its safety inspection programme so that it undertakes eight inspections per annum- ports should be required to publish statistics on accidents and near-misses- the Government should use its influence to persuade harbour authorities to accept national standards as to who can be authorised as a pilot: if national standards are not adopted the case for legislation on this issue will be compelling.

* This change is included in the Marine Navigation Number 2 Bill currently before the House of Lords.]]>UKHMAThu, 07 Mar 2013 10:43:11 +0000Consultees express serious concerns over National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollutionhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article480
Consultees, including the UKHMA, have expressesd serious concerns regarding the existing form and content of the National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations (NCP)

In the light of feedback from the consultation, the owners of the NCP - the Department for Transport, Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency - have agreed that it is necessary to:

- redefine the scope and purpose of the NCP as a whole and to produce a more strategic document

- clarify the position of the devolved administrations within the NCP

- reduce the size of the document

- remove detailed and over prescriptive operational information

- take further account of the maturity of the implementation of the Civil Contingency Act 2004

- clarify the arrangements for the co-ordination of contractors, and

- better define when a Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell or Environment Group is formed.

The UKHMA welcomes these proposals and looks forward to assisting further the owners of the NCP in the compilation and production of a new Plan in due course.]]>UKHMAMon, 11 Mar 2013 16:41:14 +0000Port freight statistics: quarter 4 2012http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article481
In June more detailed provisional annual statistics and commentary will be published in a separate release and detailed final annual statistics will be published in September.]]>UKHMAThu, 14 Mar 2013 17:27:33 +0000Update on Navigational Dredging and exemptions projecthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article484
Defra, supported by a dedicated project team from CEFAS, the Marine Management Organisation, Environment Agency and Natural England also ran stakeholder groups inviting interested parties (representing as broad a set of interests as possible) to participate in developing the policies.

After the consultation closed in October 2012, Defra reviewed the proposed exemptions and identified a list of activities which were broadly supported by the consultation responses. A copy of the consultation package and the Defra response is available on the DfT website.

With effect from 6 April 2013, the Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) (Amendment) Order 2013 comes into force which will exempt certain low risk, small scale activities from the marine licensing regime. Further details can be found here.

Further work will be undertaken by Defra and the MMO to respond to other comments about the implementation of marine licensing, in particular through the provision of guidance on licensable activities and a range of efficiency measures to further reduce the burden on operators. This will include the development of fast track licensing for non-exempt navigational dredging projects.

The External Website link below connects with the the Order, which comes into force on 6 April 2013.]]>UKHMAMon, 18 Mar 2013 16:28:28 +0000“What does a marine pilot do?”http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article483
(attached) of the recent (12 March) meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Maritime and Ports Group (APPMPG) under the subject “What does a marine pilot do?”

- Maritime state of the nation – Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport – Committee Room 19, Monday 13 May

- The importance of merchant shipping in naval and amphibious operations – Lord West of Spithead with National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, and Nautilus International – Committee Room 18, Tuesday 25 June.]]>UKHMAThu, 14 Mar 2013 17:35:22 +0000ABP invests £100m to support biomass transformationhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article486
The project will generate approximately 100 jobs at ABP’s Humber Ports during the construction phase and over 100 permanent positions will be supported once the facilities become fully operational over the next few years.

The Drax Power Station at Selby is the UK’s largest single producer of electricity, meeting approximately seven per cent of the UK’s electricity needs. Drax plans to convert three of its existing coal-fired generating units to burn sustainable biomass which will result in its output being predominantly from renewable resources within the next few years. In response to this project ABP is investing in new discharge and storage facilities at its Ports of Immingham, Hull and Goole.

At the Humber International Terminal (HIT) at its Port of Immingham, ABP will create a dedicated import facility, the Immingham Renewable Fuels Terminal, to handle Panamax-size bulk carriers which will service up to three million tonnes of wood pellets a year. The investment will require new quayside discharge plant with associated equipment to convey the biomass from the ships to new silos capable of storing up to 100,000 tonnes. From these silos, cargo will be conveyed to a new a train loading facility which will service the specialist rail wagons transporting the biomass to the power station at Selby. The project also includes a significant upgrade in rail infrastructure at HIT to facilitate the servicing of this new trade.

At Hull, ABP is investing in dedicated handling equipment and storage facilities in order to handle up to one million tonnes of biomass each year to be supplied to Drax by rail. Further inland at its port of Goole, only seven miles from Drax, investment in warehousing is also being made as a result of increased imports of biomass through the port.

ABP’s new Group Chief Executive, James Cooper, said: “We are very pleased to be able to announce that we have signed this contract with Drax. As the UK’s leading ports operator we look forward to building on our already long-standing relationship with a leading UK energy producer.

“ABP’s Humber Ports are already at the forefront of the renewables industry with the proposed development of the £200m Green Port Hull offshore wind turbine facility, while at Grimsby there is continuous investment by leading offshore wind farm operators in the development of Operations and Maintenance bases. This investment at Hull, Immingham and Goole looks set to secure the Humber region’s position as a centre of excellence for the development of the low carbon energy future”.

Commenting on the contract, Drax’s Chief Executive, Dorothy Thompson, said: “Investment in the biomass supply chain is critical to developing this nascent industry and realising its huge potential. Importantly, this investment helps to deliver both the low carbon and growth agendas set for the UK, whilst providing secure and reliable supplies of cost-effective renewable power. We are delighted to be working with a trusted partner in making real progress towards a low carbon economy.”]]>UKHMATue, 02 Apr 2013 12:15:46 +0100LNG Bunkering Study now on EMSA websitehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article487
(see external link below)

The study (carried out by Germanischer Lloyd) contains a comprehensive overview of the regulatory framework for the bunkering of gas-fuelled ships including identified gaps. All relevant existing international and European rules with a possible impact on LNG bunkering have been described in detail.

The study describes the current status of on-going ‘rule making’ and ‘standard development’ initiatives and indicates when the results of these initiatives can be expected, as well as which elements of the LNG bunkering chain they cover.

The study is part of EMSA’s contribution to the work of the European Commission on developing an EU standard for LNG bunkering as identified in the Commission’s ‘LNG for Shipping Action Plan’.]]>UKHMAThu, 04 Apr 2013 17:12:35 +0100Firms charged over River Clyde Flying Phantom tug deathshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article488
BBC Glasgow and West Scotland22/4/2013

Two firms are to face criminal charges over the sinking of a tugboat in the River Clyde, which led to the deaths of three crewmen.

An inquiry later criticised the boat’s owner, Danish firm Svitzer, and port operator Clydeport over the deaths.

Both firms will now face charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The Flying Phantom, which was based at Greenock, was trying to guide a cargo vessel to a dock when it sank at about 18:10 opposite Clydebank College in West Dunbartonshire.

Salvage operation

Crewman Brian Aitchison, from Coldingham, was rescued from the water after he managed to escape from the tug’s wheelhouse.

The bodies of skipper Mr Humphreys, from Greenock in Inverclyde, along with Mr Cameron, from Houston in Renfrewshire, and Mr Blackley, from Gourock, Inverclyde, were later recovered.

The tug itself was raised in a salvage operation the following month.

A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) inquiry later found that the boat’s towing winch had not released quickly enough, which meant it was capsized by the vessel it was pulling.

The report also highlighted failings in procedure to ensure the tug operated safely in foggy weather.

It found that the routine the tug crew followed before towing or entering fog was "ineffective", with the watertight engine room door left open and the crew not being used in the most effective manner once in the fog.

There were also no defined procedures for the tug operators when assisting or towing in restricted visibility, it said.

The report also highlighted the lack of an accepted international industry standard for tug tow line emergency release systems, and asked risk management organisation Lloyd’s Register to develop a standard to ensure tow lines can be released effectively in an emergency.

The MAIB report also criticised port operator Clydeport.

It said control measures had proven ineffective.

Damages claims

Major shortcomings in the port’s safety management system were also overlooked because there was no "designated person" in charge, the report found.

The accident investigators made a number of recommendations, including that Clydeport appoint someone as "designated person" under the Port Marine Safety Code.

The report said that UK ports appeared not to have learnt lessons from accidents at other ports.

The Flying Phantom sank opposite Clydebank College in West Dunbartonshire. Following the tragedy, the widows of the three crewmen launched a damages claim against Clydeport.

They also criticised what they described as an unacceptable delay in holding a fatal accident inquiry.

The latest development came in a short statement from the Crown Office on Monday, which said: "Crown counsel have instructed that two companies be indicted for trial in the high court.

"Clydeport Operations Limited and Svitzer Marine Limited are to face charges under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in relation to events surrounding an incident on the River Clyde on 19 December 2007 involving the Greenock-based tug boat, The Flying Phantom.

"The families of the three crew who lost their lives have been updated in relation to this development."]]>UKHMAMon, 22 Apr 2013 18:00:34 +0100Tidal energy modelling tool identifies most efficient siteshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article489
The computer programme - SMARTtide (Simulated Marine Array Resource Testing) - incorporates a 2D hydrodynamic model of the UK’s continental shelf and the north-west European coastline.

The software will be available from 21 May as a fee-for-service via a portal on HR Wallingford’s website (see external link below). ]]>UKHMAWed, 24 Apr 2013 11:03:53 +0100Tideland: Long range LED lanterns launchedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article490
The Tideland NOVA-250 features proprietary optics engineered to project a 360 degree, high-intensity horizontal beam over 15NM at a transmissivity factor of 0.74.

The efficient, compact lens design provides vertical divergence of 2.8 degrees making the new lanterns suitable for a wide range of fixed applications, including offshore structures, land-based installations and lighthouse upgrades.

For users upgrading from incandescent beacons, NOVA-250 represents a highly capable and cost-effective solution with all the reliability and life expectancy of Tideland’s LED technology.

Available in white, red or green, NOVA-250 is manufactured from a marine grade of rugged, corrosion-resistant aluminium, enabling it to withstand the most severe environments, including icing regions in extreme latitudes. The combination of advanced optics, power-conditioning circuitry and high-intensity LEDs also makes the new lantern highly suitable for solar power operation.

High-efficiency power supplies ensure that the NOVA-250 continues to operate even if one power source or one LED series string should fail, while the constant-current design provides maximum LED life. The LED drive circuits are temperature-compensated to ensure uniform brightness despite changes in the ambient temperature. Other features include full monitor and control capability with user-selectable intensity settings and flash characters.

Cornwall is synonymous with tin mining, having built its fortunes in previous centuries extracting and producing the metal for export around the world.

Sadly in recent years the industry has all but disappeared with only shore based mining taking place in one or two sites. The resultant impact on the economy of the region is tangible and has decimated previously prosperous towns within the county.

A new and exciting project has now been launched that will build on Cornwall’s proud mining heritage with an ambitious proposal to recover tin deposits from the waters off the North Coast of Cornwall.

Marine Minerals Ltd (MML) is a Cornish company created to investigate the viability of this project and [UKHMA Commercial Member] Coastline Surveys was asked to play a major role in the early investigative surveys to establish the characteristics of the mineral bearing sands off the coast of St Ives on the Northern peninsular of the county.

Earlier this year Coastline’s specialist 24m survey vessel MV FlatHolm, carried out extensive vibrocore sampling of the seabed in three specified areas off the coast between Perranporth and St Ives. The recovered cores will be used to assess the extent and quality of the tin deposits lying within the seabed sediments. This particular survey was challenging and required the sector-leading power of the C-COREHP in order to maximise penetration into the dense seabed. The site was predominantly compact sands overlying bedrock in places with coarse gravel, cobbles and subangular granite pieces.

Due to the dynamic nature and rugged environment of the north Cornish coastline it was essential to complete the workscope quickly and safely with optimum efficiency between each sampling location. The C-COREHP was equipped with a real-time penetrometer which accurately measured the rate/distance of barrel penetration whilst coring into the seabed. This information proved invaluable and enabled the FlatHolm to remain on station for the minimum period required for a quality sample to be recovery despite experiencing long swells of 2-3m from the Atlantic waters. The efficiency of the operation onboard MV FlatHolm enabled the work to be undertaken in February, not often considered suitable for seabed surveys.

The team successfully overcame the rigours of this demanding environment and completed the workscope of 40 core locations in only three days exceeding all expectations of Marine Minerals and its team.

The core samples are currently being studied by ecologists, geologists and metallurgists and specialist consultants largely also based within Cornwall to provide further insights into the flora, fauna and marine life of the proposed mining site. The essential information will feed into studies to establish baseline conditions before preparation of environmental impact assessment reports.

Dr David Hitchcock, Managing Director of Coastline Surveys Ltd is a specialist in marine mineral prospecting and has undertaken and managed many extensive studies including seabed sediment disturbances, water column sediment plumes and benthic impacts associated with marine aggregate mining in the UK and abroad. Marine tin deposits have in the past been mined using traditional dredging methods, which are considered by MML as environmentally unacceptable for this site. Modern and novel technologies are being investigated and developed in order to recover the tin in a way that causes minimal disturbance to the seabed. The modus operandi of the project is intended to eliminate harmful disruption of the native marine life by filtering the metal deposits on board a vessel and then returning approximately 95% of the unwanted resource directly back in to the seabed. The tin deposit arose out of previous shore based mining efforts and has been washed out to sea during possibly many centuries.

John Sewell, Commercial Manager for MML, says of the project: “The methods the company is investigating will be far more precise and economic than dredging. The company’s research so far suggests that when compared to natural forces such as tides, currents and storm waves, this method of working will have insignificant effects on the seabed and the local ecology. The company is carefully investigating many issues in detail via a year-long environmental study. Findings will be made public and form part of the company’s application to the MMO for a full operating licence. These plans will themselves be subject to formal, statutory public consultation, managed by the MMO, which it is anticipated will take place in 2014”.

Coastline Surveys will work extensively with Marine Minerals Ltd to support further investigations including a full and detailed environmental and social impact assessment, all of which is expected to run for another year. MML believes that there are millions of pounds worth of tin reserves off the north coast of Cornwall which are in high demand as a valuable resource with applications in many global technological industries. The project is expected to bring new employment and investment opportunities to an area that desperately needs commercial regeneration and Coastline Surveys is proud to be playing a major part in supporting communities in the Duchy.

ABP Southampton has purchased a set of two T1200 special mark buoys from [UKHMA Commercial Members] Hydrosphere UK Ltd, to replace existing buoy stock currently being used as race marker buoys in the Solent during the yacht racing season.

The T 1200 buoys are extremely robust tailtube buoys with a 1.2m diameter hull, designed by world-leading buoy manufacturer Mobilis. They come complete with an integral daymark shape containing an internal radar reflector, making them highly suitable for use in coastal and river locations.

A short galvanised steel tailtube with adjustable ballast weights provides a stable platform suitable to fit self-contained solar lights such as the Vega VLB-2 or Carmanah M650 – also available from Hydrosphere.

The currently named ‘Hamblewinterseries.com’ race marker was the first station to benefit from the new type of spherical buoy. The Hamble Winter Series is organised by the Hamble River Sailing Club for racing yachts between 26ft and 52ft and runs over eight weekends from October until December.

Maik Weidt, Port Hydrographer for ABP Southampton, said: “We are very pleased with the new T1200 as the visual presence during the day seems significantly improved when compared with the current buoy type. We also hope that we will be able to reduce our maintenance efforts for these new type of buoys.”

Hydrosphere has been supplying Aids to Navigation to ABP Southampton since 2005. A JET 2500Q port lateral buoy is one of the buoys installed following the Marchwood Widening dredging works to mark the channel off the Canary Fruit Terminal at Berth 104 Cruise Terminal. ]]>UKHMAWed, 31 Jul 2013 12:12:21 +0100MMO: National snapshot of marine area publishedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article495
Marine Management Organisation6 August 2013

A report on key marine activities has been published today by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

The Strategic Scoping Report (SSR) identifies natural resources and activities – both recreational and industrial – in the marine area, and will inform marine plans that are being developed to shape the future of England’s seas. The SSR is a key document in the development of marine plans, helping the MMO to establish the distribution of activities, ecosystems and resources in each marine plan area before plans are formed.

The seas around England are vitally important to our nation. The UK marine economy is currently worth more than £47 billion annually, and has the potential to increase significantly. Our seas also matter to people and wildlife. Marine plans will inform and guide marine users and regulators, managing the sustainable development of marine industries taking account of local communities and the need to protect leisure uses and the environment.

The report gives a national picture of the key activities and resources associated with each of England’s marine plan areas – there are 11 in total with the East and South marine plans already underway. It pulls together existing information from a range of sources to provide planners with a national picture before making planning decisions at a regional level.

Paul Gilliland, Head of Marine Planning at the MMO, said ’Most activities and resources are not evenly distributed, and understanding the location and scale of a resource is critical to understanding the relative importance of that resource or activity for the marine plan.’

Today’s report is an update to the first SSR published in June 2011. This version contains updated and new maps, including new information on water and air quality.

There is also additional evidence after gaps were identified previously, which includes:

The Strategic Scoping Report may be downloaded from the External Website shown below.]]>UKHMATue, 06 Aug 2013 13:50:31 +0100Red Tape Challenge: Marine proposals announced include small scale dredginghttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article496
The proposals emerging from the Marine element of the Water and Marine Theme of the Government’s Red Tape Challenge were announced yesterday and can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/red-tape-challenge-water-and-marine-theme-marine-proposals.

The Marine element covers 196 regulations and Defra is proposing to scrap or improve 63%: 62 will be improved, mainly through simplification, consolidation and improving implementation on the ground and 63 regulations will be scrapped. The remaining 71 will be kept to maintain important environmental and public protections.

Many of the proposals to scrap or improve will require legislative changes and Defra has produced an implementation plan for the entire Water and Marine theme setting out a timeline to roll out the proposals.

New exemptions include minor maintenance dredging operations (for example small scale works carried out by marinas), deposit of temporary buoys, removal of animal carcasses from the shoreline, recovery of lost objects, taking of samples, and pontoons.]]>UKHMAThu, 08 Aug 2013 13:50:16 +0100CERS: MCA Aacknowledges UKHMA Members effortshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article497
The efforts of UKHMA Members, and port industry colleagues, to implement and efficiently operate the CERS reporting scheme have been recognised by the MCA in an open letter received today.

The message, from Christopher Enright, Head of Maritime Surveillance at the MCA, states:

I think it opportune to write to you to relay my appreciation to the Industry for the efforts it has made to improve the completeness and accuracy of CERS Reporting.

In recent months a clear upward trend has emerged as more and more ports have gotten to grips with our requirements, particularly when it comes to dangerous and polluting goods HAZMAT reports.

My colleagues and I recognise full-well the efforts that have been put in and want the Industry to know that we are very grateful for its perseverance.

The message is complemented by an official MCA letter that outlines the improvements in UK ports compliance with VTMD and PSC regulations (see attachment below).]]>UKHMAThu, 08 Aug 2013 16:12:31 +0100DfT: Promoting the PMSC to non-statutory harbourshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article498
mv Carrier, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch recommended that the benefits of PMSC compliance should be promulgated to all non-statutory harbour authorities and all cargo terminals handling more than 10,000 tonnes per annum.

Accordingly, the Navigation Safety branch of the Department for Transport today issued an open letter (see attached) to all such facilities in which their attention is drawn to the content of the PMSC and the associated Guide to Good Operating Practice.]]>UKHMAThu, 15 Aug 2013 15:31:12 +0100MMO: Future of South marine plan areas explored in reporthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article499
21/8/2013

Predictions on the future of our seas off the South coast are outlined in a report published today by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

The ’South marine plan areas futures analysis’ gives a regional picture of how important activities and resources are expected to change, with a focus on both a 6 and 20-year snapshot.

Marine plans will inform and guide marine users and regulators, managing the sustainable development of marine industries, taking account of local communities and the need to protect leisure uses and the environment. There are 11 plans in total for the seas around England, and the South is the second area to benefit.

The report looked at past trends and expected future developments to make the projections, covering vital marine sectors such as wind energy, defence, tourism and recreation and working with a range of marine industries for their input. It also identifies gaps and data limitations underlying the projections.

Importantly, these future snapshots assume no intervention from marine planning to allow for a full picture of what could happen without the guidance planning will provide.

Head of Marine Planning, Paul Gilliland, said "The South marine plan areas are some of our busiest marine areas in Europe and this will only increase in the coming years with new technologies and more demands on our marine resources.

"This information will allow us to look at each sector and ensure we identify opportunities and potential conflicts as early as possible in planning."

This new publication is part of the MMO’s work to identify and fill knowledge gaps that marine planners, regulators and users currently face. This report is one of the key steps in providing a basis for MMO planners to develop a future picture of the South marine plan areas, in partnership with marine users.

Potential future trends were proposed for the South marine plan areas with confidence levels (high, moderate and low) on the certainty with which plans and projections are likely to happen.

These include new wind farms, increased tidal energy installations and more shipping activity.]]>UKHMAWed, 21 Aug 2013 15:54:08 +0100UKHO Alexander Dalrymple Award presented to William Heapshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article506
This prestigious award is dedicated to Alexander Dalrymple who formed the hydrographic office in 1795 and is a symbol of recognition for outstanding dedication and contribution to world hydrography.

William was honoured with the award for his outstanding contribution to hydrography over a long and dedicated career with ABP as Port Surveyor and Hydrographic Manager of the 22 ports and harbours within the ABP Group. As a specialist in Port Marine Safety, William provides guidance to Harbour Masters within the Group, which is relied upon heavily for world shipping.

The award also acknowledges many areas of William’s work as past Chairman of the Hydrographic Society UK (THS UK), which he chaired for six years, and as UK representative and Chairman of the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS). William’s devotion to making these organisations effective and inclusive includes his contributions to numerous seminars and conferences within the hydrographic community.

The award was presented by UKHO Chief Executive, Ian Moncrieff CBE who commented: “My Executive team were unanimous in nominating William for the award, which has been won by a number of distinguished international hydrographers in the past.

“William is hugely respected and recognised in the maritime navigational safety sector and port management sector. He has selflessly devoted much of his time outside of core work towards raising awareness and importance of hydrography to wider audiences, as well as furthering continual professional development for those working in this sector.

“I am delighted that we can recognise his contribution fittingly in this nationally public way.”

The ceremony took place at the UK’s celebration of World Hydrography Day at a joint event between UHKO, ABP Southampton, The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Southampton’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) held at the NOC. During the event, four co-hosts explored the theme of the ‘Blue Economy’ focusing on its value to the UK’s economy and coastal states across the globe.

Speaking about his achievement, William Heaps told us: “I am both delighted and surprised to receive this award as it recognises civil hydrography and its essential role in contributing to the ‘Blue Economy’.”]]>UKHMAWed, 30 Oct 2013 18:07:07 +0000Harbour Master Certificate Launchedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article507
Five Harbour Masters become first in the UK to be awarded new qualification

The UK Harbour Masters’ Association (UKHMA), in association with other UK port trade bodies, introduced a new Maritime and Coastguard Agency-endorsed Harbour Master Certificate following the award of an initial five certificates at a ceremony in London on 13 November.

The first certificates were presented to UKHMA Members following a demanding six-month assessment programme aligned to the recently-adopted National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Harbour Masters. From an initial intake of twelve volunteers, the successful five underwent a rigorous scrutiny of their knowledge, understanding and experience relating to the NOS and the Port Marine Safety Code, including evidence gathering and a face-to-face interview with the scheme’s assessors.

The successful candidates were drawn from a wide range of professional backgrounds, all of whom are presently holding the position of either Harbour Master or Deputy Harbour Master in a UK port, including:

The Harbour Master Certificate, the first such professional maritime qualification in the UK, was developed jointly by the UKHMA and Port Skills & Safety, an organisation funded jointly by the port’s industry bodies, British Ports Association (BPA) and the UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG). The qualification is designed to accommodate both existing harbour masters and those entering the industry, with or without previous seafaring qualifications or experience.

In awarding the Certificates, Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive, MCA, commended the UKHMA and supporting agencies for their foresight and diligence in developing a qualification that was both fit-for-purpose and entirely self-financed.

“This qualification will go some way to filling the perceived skills gap in this sector” he said. “By monitoring the assessment process, the MCA is satisfied that this is not simply a ‘tick-box’ exercise but a robust process wholly appropriate to a certificate of this nature. The successful candidates have shown that only hard work and a sound knowledge of their professional responsibilities will lead to the award of the Certificate.”

Commenting on the Certificate syllabus, Capt. Bob Baker, UKHMA President and Chief Harbour Master, Forth Ports, said: “The seventeen units of the scheme, which reflect the seventeen sections of the National Occupational Standards for Harbour Masters, provide a comprehensive coverage of the duties and responsibilities of a modern-day harbour master and his deputies. With optional units that accommodate the varying operational characteristics of different ports, the assessment process can then be considered as entirely appropriate for ports large and small, and covering the entire spectrum from wholly commercial shipping to entirely recreational.”

The Certificate scheme is complemented by a UKHMA-developed Continuing Professional Development (CPD) facility for Members which allows all harbour masters – both studying for a Certificate and outside the Certificate scheme - to assess, record, reflect and plan their career development through a simple online resource.

The CPD software also automatically identifies areas in which further training, knowledge or experience may be required and offers a continuous visual record of achievement towards a five-year points target. Those users with Harbour Master Certificates may then use the CPD record towards re-validation of the qualification after its initial five-year validity period.

Navigational dredging was made a licensable activity by the Government as part of the MCAA. However, when the Act came into effect in 2011, it allowed a period of transition during which low-risk dredging operations did not require a marine licence. This ends on 6 April 2014 when the activity will become regulated by the MMO.

In preparation of the changes the MMO has been working with its advisors and industry representatives to streamline the application process and reduce the financial and administrative burden as far as possible.

An accelerated application process is being put in place, on which a decision may be made within 20 working days. Applications are however encouraged in advance of the deadline and can be made now.

While many larger businesses and organisations may already be aware of the licence requirement through the MMO’s early work with the industry consultation group, there may be many smaller berth and marina owners who are not. It is anticipated up to 400 navigational dredging projects across England may be affected by the changes.

Further information has been added to the dredging page in the marine licensing section of the MMO’s website (see External Website link below).

The MMO are invited to give a presentation on the proposed changes at the next UKHMA Seminar (Edinburgh, 19 March 2014). Further details will be posted here in due course.

The voluntary online scheme, which is open to all paid-up Members, is accessed via the UKHMA website and offers the dual capability of a personal CPD Activity Log as well as an on-going Competency Measurement Tool.

The CPD facility is free of charge to UKHMA Members during 2014. Non-Members, with a genuine interest in a career as a harbour master, may join the system at a fee of £95 per annum.

Frequently Asked Questions are answered in the attached CPD at a Glance document, while further explanatory documents (including examples of entries and Terms & Conditions) may be found on the Home page of the CPD facility.

Participation in the CPD scheme to prescribed levels will provide towards ongoing verification of the Harbour Master Certificate.]]>UKHMAWed, 08 Jan 2014 14:33:07 +0000Tideland Signal: New UK Sales Manager appointedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article513
Tideland Signal has announced the appointment of Rick Wrench as Sales Manager for its range of aids to marine navigation in the UK and Ireland.

Rick brings to his new position a wealth of experience of technical lighting products particularly for hazardous applications in the marine sector, offshore oil and gas, petrochemical and other industries. He joins Tideland from STL International and was previously with IMT Lighting and Ecom Instruments.

Commenting on his appointment, Rick Wrench said: “For me, Tideland represents an exciting opportunity to focus my experience of technical lighting on the benchmark product range within the marine industry. Despite the worldwide reputation of these products, Tideland has not previously dedicated resources to concentrating exclusively on UK and Irish ports and harbours. I am looking forward to introducing world-beating products like the highly reliable and robust Nova-65 and the self-contained Sola Nova-65 model with integral solar modules and battery to a whole generation of new users our home territory.” ]]>UKHMAMon, 24 Feb 2014 16:35:34 +0000Falmouth: Harbour Commissioners pressing ahead with dredging planhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article515
Dredging News Online17/4/2014

Reports indicate that Falmouth Harbour Commissioners are pressing ahead with their plans to dredge a deep water channel into the port, dismissing claims that a test dredge showed the project could not go ahead without causing environmental damage.

The Commissioners have applied to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for a licence to dredge. Last year a team from Plymouth University Marine Institute carried out a limited dredge to gauge the effects it would have on the dead maerl habitat.

A report on the results of the trial dredge has now been reviewed by the Independent Scientific Advisory Panel (ISAP) which said: “Overall this trial provides welcome information on translocation of maerl bed habitat. However, we caution that the results of this experimental study should not be applied uncritically to a much larger dredge area.”

While environmentalists are now claiming the full dredge could not go ahead without causing damage to the live maerl habitat and that the trial was a waste of money, the scientist who oversaw the trial and FHC refute this.

Captain Mark Sansom (pictured), Harbour Master [and UKHMA Member] and chief executive of FHC, said: “We don’t see it as a waste of money. It has been an investment in the future of the port, whether it succeeds or not. I do not know of any research that could be uncritically applied.”]]>UKHMATue, 22 Apr 2014 10:14:05 +0100Stornoway: First Minister marks start of works to harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article516
Stornoway Gazette16/4/14

Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, was the guest of Breedon Hebrides during an official visit to Stornoway Harbour.

His visit marked the start of the £9.5 million works contract awarded to BAM Nuttall and Breedon to upgrade to Stornoway’s Ferry Terminal. This work is in preparation for the arrival of a new £42 million ferry in September this year.

The main contractor on the project is BAM Nuttall and Breedon is carrying out the rockfill, armour stone removal and reinstatement at the terminal, together with car park resurfacing, roundabout construction and duct and drainage works. Breedon Hebrides has a long association with the terminal, having undertaken (under its former name, John Fyfe) the original ferry terminal reclamation and external works in 1996.

Breedon will be on site for 21 weeks, employing around 25 people on the project.

It will supply some 60,000 tonnes of stone, 3,500 tonnes of asphalt and 1,500 cubicmetres of ready-mixed concrete.

The First Minister said: “This important work represents this Government’s continuing support to our island communities through infrastructure investment, improving access to wider Scottish, EU and international markets. We will continue to work with Scotland’s island communities to identify additional measures to help support the valuable contribution these communities make to Scotland’s economy and culture.”

Commenting on Mr Salmond’s visit Alan Mackenzie, chief executive of Breedon Aggregates Scotland, said: “It was a great honour to host the First Minister at the start of works on a major project for the Hebrides. We’re proud to be playing a part in strengthening the ties between the islands and the mainland and will be working hard with our partner BAM Nuttall to ensure that the works are completed well in time for the arrival of a brand-new ferry in Stornoway this autumn.”]]>UKHMATue, 22 Apr 2014 10:18:41 +0100RUCO: New Wave Rider Buoy added to equipment portfoliohttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article520
[UKHMA Commercial Member] RUCO Limited has announced the addition of the EIVA Tough Boy Panchax to its extensive equipment portfolio.

EIVA launched the new buoy at the recent Oceanology International exhibition; this is the latest product produced by the Danish offshore specialist EIVA and reportedly offers the lowest possible total cost of ownership over the asset’s life.

With 35 years’ experience in the offshore industry, the software and equipment company EIVA continuously uses its extensive knowledge to develop sensor platforms designed with a strong focus on the interplay with advanced, embedded software.

The ToughBoy Panchax is the most recent result of these endeavours.

The ToughBoy Panchax is a wave buoy designed to offer the lowest possible total cost of ownership in the market; this is achieved through a competitive purchase price together with low service and communications costs. EIVA’s CEO, Jeppe Nielsen commented “This wave buoy is effectively a software product, integrating as it does data from a number of sensors for use in the wave algorithm, the data logging and remote monitoring, as such it fits EIVA’s strengths perfectly”.

Cut costs without compromising on data quality

An integrated Teledyne RD Instruments ADCP and an advanced wave sensor provide high-precision current and wave data. The settings and transmission are adjusted according to customer needs, keeping communications expenditures at a minimum; the less data to transmit the lower the cost to transmit.

From harbour monitoring to wave energy studies and any type of wave and current measurement surveys in between, the ToughBoy Panchax is the optimum product of choice. Additional sensors can be fitted as optional extras, creating a buoy that perfectly matches the customer’s setup.

Intelligent charging technology in conjunction with low power consumption electronics, ensure year-long battery life and thus long intervals between service inspections, typically 12 months or more. This reduces the running cost normally associated to inspections by at least 50%.

The acquired data is transmitted to the customer, to EIVA servers as a backup option and to USB drives on the buoy for on-site retrieval. This virtually eliminates the risk of data loss.

For further details please contact RUCO Limited on feedback@ruco.co.uk]]>UKHMATue, 13 May 2014 17:47:55 +0100Port of Dover’s application for Harbour Revision Order grantedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article523
The Marine Management Organisation passed the port’s Harbour Revision Order just four months after the application was made in June.

The order will allow the board to enter joint ventures and borrow against its assets.

Chairman of the port, George Jenkins, said: ’The Board are delighted that the future of the Port of Dover as a trust port has been secured, allowing us to play a bigger part than ever in the regeneration of Dover.

’Unlocking the potential of the organisation to deliver for its customers and community in a way not possible before, the port has received what has to be seen as a huge vote of confidence in the shared vision and organisational approach being developed by the team at Dover.

“We are building momentum. We are already moving forward on a clear timetable to deliver the first ever community director of Dover Harbour Board. We are establishing a new community fund for Dover with £250,000 now committed to launch it. This decision will reinforce our delivery.’

Chief Executive,Tim Waggott, said: “This empowering decision arrives just four months after the initial application was made. Such a swift approval, in record time, comes only days after we announced the biggest ever single investment in Dover, the £120 million Phase 1 of Dover Western Docks Revival. This means we now have the necessary powers to progress the project, delivering over 600 new jobs for Dover and transforming the waterfront to be the catalyst for Dover’s wider regeneration.

’We look set to deliver a record traffic performance in 2014. Moving forward with major investments in the Eastern Docks Ferry Terminal whilst providing excellent customer service demonstrates how the Port of Dover and its ferry operator partners are maximising our contribution to the local Community, East Kent and the Nation.

’I would like to pay tribute to my team for their hard work and also to thank all at the Department for Transport and our local MP, Charlie Elphicke, for their help, support and encouragement. I also salute our customers and community who have supported us hugely in our quest. This is a proud and exciting time to be associated with Dover and its Port.

“These are new and uncharted waters for us all, but I believe we are entering a period of time that will go down in the history books as the start of a golden age if we all continue to support each other and work together to deliver for Dover.”

Picture caption: Regeneration design for the port. A new cargo terminal

Kent Online13 October 2014by Victoria Chessumvchessum@thekmgroup.co.uk]]>UKHMATue, 14 Oct 2014 12:53:15 +0100CHC Strategic Review - The vision for Cowes Harbour in 2020 and beyondhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article525
The consultation, designed to give stakeholders the chance to have their say on the future of the harbour, can be accessed via the link below.

Capt. Stuart McIntosh, Cowes Harbour Master [and UKHMA Member], said: "My Commissioners and I would like to invite and encourage input to our e-survey from as many stakeholders and harbour users as possible and all those who are interested in creating a widely supported and sustainable long-term vision for Cowes Harbour.

"The key question we are asking at this point is, what do you want Cowes Harbour to look like in 2020 and beyond? This, along with other leading questions and topics will form part of our strategic review taking place up until next February. We intend to consult and involve harbour users and stakeholders throughout, and will also be holding a series of direct consultation meetings with the main Cowes Harbour stakeholder groups."

A new CHC strategy covering the period 2015 to 2020 and beyond will be developed by April 2015 and promoted at the next CHC Annual Public Meeting on 21st May 2015.

CHC’s Strategic Review online survey, entitled "The vision for Cowes Harbour in 2020 and beyond!", should take around 10-15 minutes to complete, depending on the amount of information you may wish to provide. To allow CHC sufficient time to evaluate results, the online consultation will close on Monday, 1st December 2014.]]>UKHMAThu, 30 Oct 2014 16:06:42 +0000Montrose hits tonnage milestonehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article528
Shipping tonnage totalled 2.08m tonnes in 2014, compared with 1.7m tonnes in 2013. The increase in tonnage reflects the broad spectrum of operators using the port that includes the oil & gas sectors, as well commercial vessels with cargoes such as pulp, scrap metal, fertiliser, grain and timber.

John Paterson, chief executive of Montrose Port Authority said: “We are delighted to have broken the two million tonnes barrier, which reinforces Montrose’s position as a leading service base for the energy sector, as well as an important import and export hub for a variety of cargoes.

“These figures come on the back of recent major investment by the port authority in upgrading our infrastructure.”

The most recent investment involved a £6m upgrade of berths six and seven on the north side of the port to ensure deep water berthing and enhanced quayside operational working space. The refurbished 260m long quay, which opened for business in October 2014, provides a neat complement to the £8.5m south quay development completed three years ago.

John Paterson added: “With a background in handling complex logistics projects and an integrated approach with port partner companies, Montrose Port Authority is now well placed for continued growth over the coming years.”]]>UKHMAMon, 26 Jan 2015 11:23:28 +0000ABP announces new-look Marine department on the Humberhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article529
Capt Phil Cowing has taken up the newly created role of Head of Marine Humber, with responsibility for co-ordinating and leading all marine activity on the Humber, reporting to John Fitzgerald, Director Humber. Phil will also continue in his role as Marine Advisor to the ABP Board. Capt Andrew Firman replaces him as Harbour Master Humber.

Capt Martin Gough, formerly Dock Master Humber, has taken up the new role of Marine Training Manager, reflecting the importance ABP is placing on its industry-leading Marine Apprenticeship Scheme. The scheme will be expanded in 2015 to include the first intake of Marine Pilotage Apprentices.

The company has also seen changes with the pilotage service, with Matt Booth moving up to the role of Deputy Pilotage Manager Humber, and Andy Swift becoming Deputy Harbour Master and Pilotage Operations Manager Humber.

Phil Cowing commented: "Historically the ABP Humber ports and Humber Estuary Services (HES) have been run as separate marine functions, but the time is now right for a more integrated operational approach whilst still maintaining the transparency and impartiality of HES for the provision of pilotage and conservancy to all river users.

"An integrated approach removes unnecessary duplication and demarcation to provide a more streamlined and efficient service for the ABP ports, whilst HES will continue to provide high levels of service and support for customers at the non-ABP locations throughout the harbour area and the wider stakeholder groups."

He added: "These are exciting times for the Humber with planned growth on both banks to support the offshore renewables industry as well as plans to relocate VTS Humber from Spurn Point to a new integrated Humber Marine Control Centre at Grimsby.

The concept of an integrated marine team should serve us well in managing future growth and changing traffic patterns in the Humber and sits well with the concept of continuous improvement enshrined in the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC), the national standard against which all Harbour Authorities are measured."

The new President, Cdr. David Vaughan (Teignmouth), was previously Vice-President, having served on the UKHMA Council on behalf of the South West region since 2012. Recently, he has represented the Association on the Port Marine Safety Code Steering Group. His nomination was seconded by Capt Rupert Taylor (Portsmouth International Port).

The new Vice-President, Julian Seaman (Shoreham), has served on the UKHMA Council on behalf of the Solent and Southern region since 2011 and has recently represented the Association at the MCA’s Ports Engagement Group review of proposals for CERS3. His nomination was seconded by Capt Kevin Mowat (Tor Bay).

The outgoing President was presented with an engraved decanter and thanked for his diligent service over an extended tenure of 33 months (the standard term of office is two years).

Caption: Incoming President, David Vaughan (left), thanks Past President Bob Baker for his long service to the Association.]]>UKHMATue, 24 Mar 2015 15:23:00 +0000New Maritime Minister announcedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article534
In a letter of congratulation on his recent appointment, the UKHMA has extended an invitation for Mr Goodwill to speak at the Autumn Seminar (London, 18 November) in a continuation of the close relationship forged with the first Maritime Minister, the Rt. Hon. John Hayes, who presented a governmental briefing at the Seminar in 2014

ResponsibilitiesAs Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, the Minister (previously known as the Shipping Minister) is responsible for:•high speed rail (HS2)•aviation•Europe and international•maritime•devolution•cycling and walking

BiographyRobert Goodwill was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport in 2013 and again in the 2015 General Election.

EducationRobert was educated at the Quaker Bootham School in York, and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture in 1979.

Political careerRobert was elected as a Member of the European Parliament at the 1999, serving in Brussels and Strasbourg until the 2004 European election. He was Deputy Leader of the Conservative MEPs during his term. He was elected to the House of Commons at the 2005 general election for Scarborough and Whitby. After spending 18 months as a member of the transport select committee, he was appointed a Whip in 2006 and promoted to the post of Shadow Roads Minister in the transport team in 2007. He was re-elected at the 2010 general election and appointed to the government as a Whip with responsibility for Treasury and DEFRA business.

Career outside politicsRobert has been a farmer (since 1979) of 250 acres of land near Malton which has been in his family since 1850. He has been the managing director of Mowthorpe Ltd since 1995, which offers environmentally friendly burials in the North Yorkshire countryside.

Personal lifeRobert is married and has 2 sons and a daughter.

]]>UKHMATue, 26 May 2015 17:43:53 +0100ACCSEAS demos e-Nav positives in N Sea regionhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article537
Mrs. Brigit Gijsbers, who opened the final ACCSEAS conference in February in her capacity as Rijkwaterstaat’s Director of Maritime Affairs in the Netherlands, summarised the concerns facing the maritime traffic in the North Sea Region:

“Our country is situated on the shores of one of the busiest sea areas of the world, with currently over 243,000 ship movements along our coast and to/from our seaports. However, we should realize that shipping is no longer the only user community of the navigable space at sea.

’From a shipping and traffic management perspective, the findings - as shown in the ACCSEAS’ Baseline and Priorities Report for the North Sea Region - provide a somewhat worrying picture for the North Sea Region after 2020+.”

In tackling these challenges, ACCSEAS has developed innovative solutions based on the IMO e-Navigation concept to improve situational awareness and information integrity. Improving the spatial awareness of the mariner and shore-based authorities will allow those users to get a better understanding of the current situation around them.

The Baseline and Priorities Report highlighted the potential issue of increased traffic in tighter shipping lanes created by windfarms, particularly in the southern North Sea. There will be an increased reliance on ship systems to navigating through these areas to ensure that the risk of collision and grounding remain low.

Through demonstrating e-Navigation services such as the Tactical Route Exchange, No-go Areas and the Augmented Reality Head-up Display, ACCSEAS has shown that solutions can be developed that will allow users to receive previously unavailable information or information that is difficult to obtain. This information will enable the mariner, and shore-based authorities, to understand their immediate and near future environment in a more clear and intuitive way.

The demonstrations have shown that users are enthusiastic about the improved view of the environment that the ACCSEAS solutions provide.

By improving the spatial awareness, the users of the Region will gain a better understanding of how to traverse it with more confidence, efficiency and safety. This can only serve to gradually increase accessibility in the North Sea Region.

Information integrity is crucial in informing all users of the situation in the maritime space. It underpins the acceptance and ultimate success of e-Navigation as an emerging driver for improved safety and efficiency. A number of the solutions demonstrated in ACCSEAS have the aim of ensuring that the information presented to both the mariner and shore-based authorities is accurate and delivered in a timely manner.

Good examples of such services are Resilient PNT (improved integrity of positioning and navigation information), MSI/NM (improved and more reliable maritime safety information delivery), Vessel Operations Co-ordination Tool (faster and more reliable delivery of search and rescue information) and Inter-VTS Exchange Format (improved shore-based visualization of the sea-space).

More information on these services, and others, can be found in the Final Report and the related Service Description documents available on the ACCSEAS website (link below). The services themselves are underpinned by a coherent architecture, as described in the ACCSEAS e-Navigation Architecture Report.

The ACCSEAS project has demonstrated solutions that will have an impact on accessibility to the North Sea Region and its ports. The solutions would be of limited value if the users were not suitably trained on the using the services to maximum benefit. The Training Needs Analysis and the Use of Simulators in e-Navigation Training and Demonstrations Reports highlight the need for robust training of users in the new technology and its application in navigating the seas.

ACCSEAS has gone a long way to investigate the human factor of e-Navigation technology, and has proposed further work to ensure that as the concept evolves, the training evolves alongside it. This will give e-Navigation the best opportunity to provide the maritime users of the North Sea Region, and beyond, much needed tools to tackle the challenges of the future.

The project has also developed the ACCSEAS Legacy Report, which details the work plan for a sustainable development of e-Navigation in the North Sea Region, building on the results of ACCSEAS. The project calls for stakeholders in the region to get involved in the forums and coordinating groups to ensure a prosperous future for maritime accessibility. Interested parties should look out for invitations to events on the ACCSEAS website shortly.

Dr. Alwyn Williams, ACCSEAS Project Manager concluded: “The ACCSEAS project has given stakeholders in the North Sea Region and beyond an opportunity to experience the solutions the project has developed and also looked at ways of moving these forward. We’ve had excellent feedback from test users throughout the project, they have said they will miss the solutions, which is a telling sign of their potential impact. The ACCSEAS partners have driven forward with a clear goal of providing a demonstration of e-Navigation and the overall experience has been a positive one. ACCSEAS is just the beginning, the solutions we have developed will help the navigator to do their job and the ACCSEAS solutions offer real benefits to the North Sea Region.”

]]>UKHMATue, 02 Jun 2015 15:16:56 +0100Cowes Harbour Breakwaterhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article545
Members of the Harbour Advisory Committee paid a site visit to the new Cowes Breakwater today (Tuesday, 29th September), to get a close-up view of the 350-metre long structure and learn about the construction process from contractor Boskalis Westminster.

Ben Willows, Chairman of the Advisory Committee (CHAC), said: “We are very appreciative to CHC for organising today’s breakwater inspection, given how much it has been discussed at our Advisory Committee meetings and in the Cowes community as a whole. To go out to the breakwater and hear from the contractors how it has been built, and see at first hand the level of technicality and the scale of the undertaking, was a positive and worthwhile experience, and has given all of us a better understanding of the project for when we are talking to people in Cowes.

“The Advisory Committee is there for everyone in Cowes Harbour,” added Ben, “so if you have questions to do with the breakwater, do please contact us at any time.”

Advisory Committee visit to Cowes Breakwater Sept 2015

Cowes Harbour Master, Capt. Stuart McIntosh, said: “I would like to thank our contractors Boskalis Westminster for this morning’s breakwater site visit. It was very useful and informative for our Advisory Committee representatives, who have been, and continue to be very engaged with CHC throughout the development of this project."

Capt. McIntosh added: “This new breakwater, along with the next phases of our harbour infrastructure, the extension to the Shrape and new Eastern Channel, are the key elements to achieving the Commission’s primary objective of providing a sheltered harbour environment for the benefit of all harbour users and stakeholders.”

Breakwater construction progressContractor Boskalis Westminster continues to make good progress with the installation of the rock armour protection to the breakwater. In spite of recent bad weather causing some delays to rock barge operations between Cherbourg and Cowes, barge load 17, out of a scheduled 18 or 19 loads is due to arrive in Cowes Harbour towards the end of this week. Rock armouring to the eastern end of the breakwater is already complete at a height of 6.7 metres above Chart Datum.

Approximately 10,000 m3 of surplus gravel remaining from the construction of the breakwater core has been moved to a holding position to the north of the breakwater and this will be removed before completion. Once the rock armouring has been finished, Trinity House has approved the installation of five navigation beacons on top of the breakwater, in addition to navigation marks and lights at the western and eastern ends. Practical completion of the breakwater is due in the third week of October with removal of the barge dock piles and contractor de-mobilising in early November.

CHC harbour infrastructure next phases & HCA East Cowes developmentThe Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has indicated that the East Cowes development is progressing well and the developers are now planning on commencing work on the construction of the proposed Victoria Marina in the winter of 2016 and towards spring 2017. The dredging of the new marina will most likely be carried out at the same time as the dredging of the harbour’s new Eastern Channel.

A seasonal restriction of carrying out dredging works in the winter months only, due to the summer growing season of the protected eelgrass beds on the Shrape, means that the next phases of the harbour infrastructure works (Eastern Channel dredge and Shrape extension) will also likely commence in the autumn/winter of 2016 to 2017, aligning with the HCA’s plans for the East Cowes development.

New Cowes Harbour tidal modelHydrodynamic engineers ABPmer, lead consultants for all marine elements of CHC’s Cowes Breakwater Project and the HCA’s East Cowes regeneration project, have successfully completed the construction and verification of a new and technically advanced regional tidal model that will provide the platform and basis for the local Solent and Cowes model. The calibration of this regional model has taken longer than originally planned, with over 150 "model runs" completed to ensure it calibrates to the highest standard. It is expected that the local model will be completed within the next couple of weeks.

CHC has ensured that each stage of the development process for this new local model has been fully scrutinised by an independent expert modeller; furthermore, the Commission is currently considering alternatives for independent expert scrutiny and oversight of the final calibration reports.

The next stage will see ABPmer use the new model to review the impact of the breakwater and optimise the harbour’s tidal flows and sedimentation regime in the design of the next phases of harbour infrastructure (Eastern Channel dredge and Shrape extension). To feed into this process, it is also planned to undertake a further campaign of detailed tidal and sedimentation monitoring in the harbour, including sedimentation sampling and the deployment of fixed multi-function monitoring devices, as well as the possible use of drone video imagery.

The modelling results, reports and recommendations, are currently anticipated for April or May 2016, with further stakeholder consultation also planned before any final decisions are made on the next stages of harbour construction.

The 99 Crew Dive Team took to the waters near Taranaki Wharf to clean up the sea floor over the weekend.

The team of five collected 868 coins, dive organiser Rob Wilson said. "[Of] the coins we found, some are apparently of value – amazing!"

Almost as numerous as the coins were cans: a total of 577 were collected from the harbour bottom.

Other weird and wonderful finds included a clothes iron, seven road cones and five cow bones "like from a boil up", Wilson said.

Someone had lost their toothbrush and toothpaste to the harbour waters, another their fleece jersey, and six others their gloves. A bong was also found in the clean-up.

The dive was the clean-up group’s second in two weeks. The first discovered four shopping trolleys and three shoes, alongside bottles, cans and cups. The group organises regular below water clean-ups to support the health of the city’s harbour.]]>UKHMAThu, 01 Oct 2015 09:11:31 +0100Charlestown Harbour,Cornwall, Soldhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article547
27 Sep 2015SOUTH WEST: Completion has taken place on the sale of Cornwall’s Grade II listed 18th Century port, Charlestown Harbour.The port was built in 1792 to serve the then thriving fishing and China Clay trades. Over the decades, the trades declined and the harbour was hardly used until it was last sold in 1994 to specialist marine film company Square Sale.Under the company’s ownership the harbour was regularly used as the setting for historical dramas and films including the BBC’s Poldark series.The business provides traditional shipbuilding, repair and layup services, ship charter, sailmaking and rigging services, engineering, specialist seamanship training, corporate events, film set construction and maritime related consultancy to film studios, production and TV companies.It is one of the few remaining British ports still in private ownership and is a Unesco World Heritage site.The sale included both inner and outer harbours, piers and quays, the waterfront, beaches and the business known as Square Sail Shipyard. It was handled by First Peninsular Marine.]]>UKHMAThu, 01 Oct 2015 09:18:15 +0100Lerwick Predicts 2016 will be a Record Breakerhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article548
Next year should see a record-breaking cruise ship season, according to Lerwick Port Authority.

The record for the largest cruise ship to visit the harbour is set to be broken twice next year.

The prospects for next year come following the end of the 2015 season during which cancellations reduced bookings by eight. Victor Sandison, the port authority’s senior commercial executive, said: “Bad weather at sea reduced arrivals, with a number of last-minute call-offs, including large vessels, which hit passenger numbers.”

The Hanseatic in Lerwick at the weekend. Photo: Ian LeaskThe season was extended at 48-hours’ notice on Sunday with the arrival of Hapag-Lloyds’ Hanseatic – described as “the world’s only five-star expedition ship” – while en route from Akureyri, Iceland, to Kirkwall, Orkney, following a voyage to Greenland.She brought the season totals at Lerwick to 41 vessels, at 1,242,971 gross tonnes carrying 30,430 passengers – all below previous records.

Mr Sandison added: “In a highly competitive market, cruise operators are spoiled for choice and appear to be juggling different destinations in different years to refresh itineraries. It’s definitely our turn next season, and 2017 is also already looking good, with 28 advance bookings so far, at 1,387,724 gross tonnes and an estimated 31,000-plus passengers.”

June and July are expected to be the busiest months, with 16 and 21 calls respectively. The season will include 10 maiden calls, including Viking Ocean Cruises’ new ships, Viking Sea and Viking Star.

]]>UKHMAThu, 01 Oct 2015 09:29:58 +0100Lifebuoy Innovation in Carrickfergushttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article549
For the lifebuoy provider, significant cost reduction can be achieved by replacing manual routine inspections with remote real time monitoring of the lifebuoy units.

Sentry electronically monitors both the presence of a lifebuoy and throw rope within a lifebuoy enclosure.

A messaging system is triggered when a lifebuoy is removed from the enclosure, thus helping reduce loss of life due to a missing lifebuoy and also providing deployment notification.

Real time monitoring ensures that alarms are sent immediately in the event of the lifebuoy or throw rope being removed or when the unit is tampered with.

A web interface is available to indicate the status of each lifebuoy, which can be viewed on a mobile device or PC.

Key benefits provided by Sentry:

· Reduce loss of life caused by missing lifebuoys and throw ropes.· Real time monitoring of lifebuoys with instant alarms and notifications.· Operational efficiency improvement using web based remote monitoring.· Solar powered with minimum self-installation and maintenance requirements.· Designed to fit all standard lifebuoy enclosures.

Sentry system was recently introduced as a pilot scheme at Carrickfergus Harbour in Northern Ireland, please see link below for press article:http://www.northernirelandchamber.com/member-news/monitoring-product-trial-set-to-combat-lifebuoy-vandalism-risk/http://www.u.tv/News/2015/09/03/Carrickfergus-Harbour-buoyed-by-innovation-44263

]]>UKHMAMon, 05 Oct 2015 16:30:52 +0100BPA Conference Boosts Isle of Lewis Tourismhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article550
THE annual conference of the British Port Association is being held in Stornoway – providing a welcome visitor boost to the Isle of Lewis.

Over 200 UK maritime industry leaders and decision-makers have gathered with delegates and exhibitors from port authorities, government departments, maritime consultants and other agencies within the industry.

A series of social events around the islands are being hosted for delegates and partners to showcase local culture and heritage, together with the trade exhibitions and sponsors running alongside the conference.

David Whitehead, director of the British Port Association, said: “It’s a real pleasure to come to Stornoway.

“Our members are based across the whole of the UK and locating our conference here has created huge interest.

“The number of participants has exceeded expectations and we’re delighted too that the speakers will cover a very broad range of port and maritime issues, from navigational safety to pensions.

“It’s also a privilege to be part of the 150th anniversary of the setting up of the Stornoway Pier and Harbour Commission.

“We look forward to boosting visitor figures for this year and taking part in the terrific social programme the port has devised.”

The host is Stornoway Port Authority and chief executive Alex MacLeod said: “This is an excellent opportunity for Stornoway Port Authority to showcase the port and the island in general.”

There are over 100 ports in the UK holding trust port status - including Stornoway. They are public independent statutory bodies and are governed by local and national legislation.

Controlled by independent appointed boards, there are no shareholders or owners, and any surplus is reinvested in the ports and facilities for the benefit of all users and stakeholders.

]]>UKHMAWed, 07 Oct 2015 10:06:05 +0100New Ferry Route from Weymouth ?http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article551
Negotiations are continuing between the council and the ferry operator, which expects the new service will create around 90 jobs.

The management committee will consider a series of recommendations from the council’s Harbour Management Board.

These include retaining the restricted area at Weymouth port for a ferry service and keeping on staff until March 31 next year.

It will also be asked to sign off approval for the operating agreement for the service and approve a number of commitments put forward by the Harbour Master in support of the proposed ferry service.

Councillors will consider an update from the Harbour Management Board, which states: “A layout for the port was close to being agreed with the Border Force and staff had addressed matters such as planning issues and advertising consents to overcome these hurdles in advance of operations commencing.

“High Speed Ferries were looking to lease a ship for this operation and are in discussion with a number of organisations.

“Members heard that no costs had been incurred by the council to date, other than staff time.”

The proposals being put forward for the ferry service include a three-year contract from April 1, 2016 that will see twice-daily summer crossings to Cherbourg and a lighter winter service.

It is estimated that the services will carry around 266,000 passengers a year and 91,000 cars.

The new service would provide a welcome boost to the town following the departure of Condor Ferries, which relocated its services to France and the Channel Islands to Poole earlier this year as Weymouth was unable to accommodate its new, larger vessel.]]>UKHMAWed, 07 Oct 2015 11:01:21 +0100Vattenfall to move from Whitstable to Ramsgatehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article552
The Swedish company, which manages the Kentish Flats offshore wind farm, is to move its operation from the town’s harbour to Ramsgate.

It will allow the company to maintain the wind farm without having to deal with tidal restrictions it currently faces in Whitstable.

Kentish Flats wind farm off the coast of Whitstable and Herne BayVattenfall site manager Tony Francis said: “The Kentish Flats offshore wind farm has been serviced from Whitstable Harbour for more than 10 years.

“We have had an exceptionally good relationship with the harbour and its staff who have helped contribute to the success of our operations.

“We will very much miss working from Whitstable but moving out of this facility allows us to maintain the Kentish Flats offshore wind farms without tidal restrictions.”

Vattenfall spokesman Jason Ormiston said that the company was now focusing its operations in Ramsgate.

He said: “As our wind farm capacity off the Kent coast has grown from 30 turbines 10 years ago to 145 now and staff numbers from around a dozen to over 70, we have focused operations on our Ramsgate harbour facility.

“Naturally we will miss them when they leave, but understand the reasons why and wish them well for the future..." - Cllr Pat Todd“This is because we want to maximise the time available to deliver maintenance on the Kentish Flats turbines.

“As the use of Whitstable Harbour to service the turbines is subject to the tides we believe our maintenance operations are better delivered from Ramsgate, which allows maintenance without tidal restrictions.”

Cllr Pat Todd, chairman of Whitstable Harbour Board, said Vattenfall would be missed. “We’ve enjoyed having Vattenfall at the harbour and are pleased to have played a role in their wind farm work,” he said.

“Naturally we will miss them when they leave, but understand the reasons why and wish them well for the future.

Unmanned vessels are already a reality in today’s shipping industry, and will play a larger role in future, delegates to The Nautical Institute’s latest seminar were told. More than seventy people attended London Branch’s two-day event in Bristol “Autonomous ships; what does the future hold?”, where a wide range of speakers from class, regulatory authorities, developers and operators outlined what might be in prospect for the industry.“Automated ships are here today, already, in all sorts of shapes and sizes, used for science, for research, for defence and in the oil and gas industry, among other things,” said James Fanshawe, chair of the UK’s Maritime Autonomous Systems (MAS) regulatory working group, in his keynote address. As vessel sizes increase, they will have to be integrated into a well-established maritime world with many complexities in place, he warned. “The MAS is determined that they should be brought in sensitively and recognising the concerns of all involved.”Over two days of high level presentations and animated discussion, some of the most important points to come out included:•Autonomous ships are not a thing of the future; in many sectors small autonomous vessels are already a reality for both subsea and surface work.•The move towards fully automated vessels is likely to be driven by insurance and the increasing public demand that no accident is acceptable. However, while it reduces risk in some areas, including keeping seafarers out of harm’s way, it may increase it in others.•Interaction between manned and unmanned vessels is likely to be a major point of risk.•Existing conventions and regulations will need to be updated to take the existence of autonomous vessels into account, including Colregs, SOLAS and national regulations•While autonomous merchant vessels are unlikely to be a reality for many years yet, onboard systems are increasingly becoming automated, which demands a new set of skills and aptitudes from seafarers.While it will be many years yet before fully unmanned merchant ships become a reality – if they ever do – it is vital that the industry starts thinking about the implications of the potential change at an early stage. Only this way can it ensure that the training, skills and knowledge are in place to maintain the safety and profitability of the industry.endsFor more information please contact Bridget Hogan, Director of Publishing and Marketing, The Nautical Institute + 44 (0)20 7928 1351, bh@nautinst.org

]]>UKHMAWed, 07 Oct 2015 11:25:58 +0100Peterhead Harbour Revamp to include a Visitor Centrehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article554
Peterhead Port Authority are working on a masterplan to revamp the town’s already booming fish market.

Now chief executive John Wallace has proposed including a “visitor experience” to promote the industry and educate children about where seafood comes from.

Mr Wallace said: “There will be an area where visitors can see and hear the auctions in the fish market. There will be displays of various fish caught.”

The harbour boss explained that currently there are strict health and safety protocols in place for anyone entering the busy market. Under the new scheme, visitors – including families and children – would be able to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the trading floor from a safe distance.

“I think it can be a wonderful visitor experience for the whole of Peterhead. It will let people see the sale, the fish, the movements, the landings, the auction – it will be the whole story of the fish from net to plate,” he added.

“At the moment a lot of children – bless them – think fish comes from the supermarket. Hopefully this can stimulate their imagination for a potential career in the industry.”

The multimillion-pound scheme to upgrade the fish market is designed to attract even bigger boats and create space for their hauls to be landed and sold.

It will involve dredging to create more deep water berthing and building a new auction hall to handle up to 8,000 boxes of fish.

The port authority expects to receive tenders for the work at the end of this month, and by mid-November will know if there is a proposal they can afford.

It is hoped that a grant can be secured from the European Maritime Fisheries Fund when applications open in December.

If successful in their bid for funding, work is expected to last for 18 months.

Council leader Des Brailey - We are putting a marker down and saying this is what we need.

MILLIONS of pounds could be made available to help expand Ilfracombe harbour thanks to an "aspirational" bid by North Devon Council.

The £21 million project to construct a Northern breakwater is just one of six the council is hoping to develop after it made a series of bids to the government’s Local Enterprise Partnership.

Council leader Des Brailey said: "The bid has gone in for £15 million as a start for this northern breakwater. We would need to secure further funding if we managed to secure that.

"But we need to make it clear that this is an aspiration. The chance of getting £15 million is pretty slim, but if you don’t ask you don’t get anywhere.

Read more: http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/Ilfracombe-harbour-21-million-Northern-breakwater/story-27973206-detail/story.html#ixzz3oceoz2My Follow us: @NDJournal on Twitter | NDJournal on Facebook]]>UKHMAThu, 15 Oct 2015 09:21:31 +0100Darwin Port, Australia, Leased for 99 Yearshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article556
Landbridge Group wins rights to operate port, including marines supply base, in deal that NT government says will lower debt and pay for other infrastructure Northern Territory chief minister Adam Giles says the decision to lease the port rather than sell allows the government to ensure conditions are upheld.

Helen Davidson in Darwin@heldavidson

The Northern Territory government has signed a $506m agreement with a Chinese based group for a 99-year lease of the Darwin port, but the union has expressed outrage at a lack of protections for workers.

The deal, resulting from a tender process begun in 2014, gives the Landbridge Group 100% operational control of the port and 80% ownership of the Darwin Port land, facilities of East Arm wharf including the marine supply base, and Fort Hill wharf.

The remaining 20% will be held by the Northern Territory government for the first five years before transferring to another Australian entity to ensure some local ownership is retained.

NT chief minister Adam Giles said the decision to lease the port rather than sell allowed the government to ensure conditions are upheld. The government intends to invest the money from the agreement into other strategic infrastructure, but in contrast to similar interstate port agreements, Giles provided no details on Tuesday.

“This money will go into a small part of paying back Labor’s debt but the other parts in investing in economic strategies for the NT to ensure we are recycling this money into job-growing activities for the future of the Northern Territory,” he said.

The NT government will retain “a range” of oversight and regulatory functions, and should port revenue rise above 130% of current modelling, the government will receive 15% of profits.

Landbridge Infrastructure Australia’s director Mike Hughes said the company had committed to no forced redundancies of the permanent workforce before 2018, and when questioned added he did not foresee any job losses through voluntary redundancies, or cutting of non-permanent staff. However he did say there were “operational efficiencies” which could be made.

“The proceeds will be used to invest in new economic infrastructure for the benefit for all Territorians,” he said.

“The lease process has delivered on many levels and we have ensured that employees, port users and the government’s interests are well protected. This is a fantastic outcome for the Territory.”

However the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has slammed the deal. Spokesman Thomas Mayor said the government had only paid lip service to the employees by not ensuring the protections were guaranteed past the 2018 end of the current enterprise bargaining agreement.

“We’re very disappointed in the CLP’s move,” he told Guardian Australia. The MUA called for the protections to be legislated for the life of the lease.

“It should be noted these workers haven’t had any industrial disputes at the port for more than 20 years,” said Mayor.

“These workers are seeing what’s happened to Buslink and the [recently privatised] Territory Insurance Office employees. The MUA is not the type of union which will stand by and see our members treated the same.”

Mayor also expressed concern the short term protections for workers would not extend to those on temporary or fixed term contracts or who are employed by the port on other services, such as security and pilot boat staff.

Landbridge is a privately owned Chinese group which has operated in Australia for about 18 months. It has agreed to maintain a pricing regime with no more than CPI indexed adjustments for the use of current port facilities.

He later added that growth would be constrained by current rail infrastructure in the Northern Territory, but said “it was not a major impediment” and Landbridge would be talking to stakeholders involved.

“Landbridge’s commitment to the growth of the Port of Darwin will be a huge spur to the development of Australia’s north, serving as a catalyst for the entry of major investment right across the port’s upstream supply chain in agriculture, resources & energy and economic infrastructure,” he said.]]>UKHMAThu, 15 Oct 2015 09:31:31 +0100ABPmer wins work at Argyll and Bute Councilhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article557
Argyll and Bute Council, as Harbour Authority, is responsible for the operation of a number of ports, harbours and pier facilities around Argyll and Bute; these include the principal ports of Campbeltown, Oban, Rothesay, Dunoon, Port Askaig and Craignure; plus over thirty smaller ferry terminals, piers and slipways.

ABPmer will assist the Council in reviewing its NRAs and will provide an installation of the marine risk software ‘MarNIS’. The software is designed to provide a marine risk management solution that helps the professional mariner, Harbour Master and Port Safety Officer meet and exceed industry standards on risk management. The MarNIS Toolkit provides a number of modules through which risk assessment creation and review, accident/incident logging, and Key Performance Indicator reporting can be undertaken.

Claire Brown, ABPmer Project Director, said “We are delighted to be helping Argyll and Bute Council review its Navigational Risk Assessments and to be providing a software solution as a practical way to manage these into the future. Using the MarNIS Toolkit will allow the Council to share best practice across is range of port and harbour facilities.”

More information about ABPmer’s Maritime Services, including Safety Management System Reviews, Risk Assessments and the MarNIS Toolkit can be found from the following website: http://www.abpmer.co.uk/services/port-risk-management/

ABPmer has over 65 years port related research and consultancy experience and appreciates that the successful operation of ports, harbours and wharfs is dependent on understanding both the marine environment and port operational requirements.]]>UKHMAThu, 15 Oct 2015 10:57:48 +0100Protest at Dun Laoghaire Harbour Proposalshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article558
Richard Boyd Barrett says no berth of such scale could be completed for quoted €18m

The scene at Dún Laoghaire Harbour on Saturday when 50 boats and about 200 people along the East Pier turned up to protest against the harbour company’s plans to construct a 390m cruise ship dock inside the harbour. Photograph: Frank Miller/The Irish TimesThe scene at Dún Laoghaire Harbour on Saturday when 50 boats and about 200 people along the East Pier turned up to protest against the harbour company’s plans to construct a 390m cruise ship dock inside the harbour. PTim O’Brien

Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company’s plans to create a 390m cruise berth and ancillary dredging are an “unquantified financial gamble”, a Bord Pleanála hearing into the plans has been told.People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the harbour company proposals – to dredge a 1.5km harbour approach channel, a 500m turning circle to the north of the harbour mouth and an in-harbour access channel of 850m to the proposed berth – were costed at €18 million.But he said that figure was less than the 1996 cost of building the smaller berth for the Stena HSS which is to be demolished as part of the scheme.Cruise liners and Dún Laoghaire‘Dún Laoghaire Harbour is seen as a jewel in the crown by most in Dún Laoghaire.’ Why Dún Laoghaire should consider cruise ship proposalsGiving evidence on the opening day of the hearing, Mr Boyd Barrett said there was no berth or dredging project “in the world” of such a scale that could be completed for €18 million, and to embark on the project would be to expose the taxpayer to an “an unquantified financial gamble”.He said the application was “inextricably linked” to proposals in the Dún Laoghaire harbour master plan for the urban regeneration of St Michael’s pier, the location of the proposed berth, to include a hotel and private apartments.He produced a document from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in which the council noted the harbour company’s contention that the “urban regeneration” of St Michael’s pier would be “essential to the economic viability of the harbour company”.‘Privatisation’The importance of the document was that it showed the “privatisation” of harbour space was central to the harbour company’s vision for managing the resource, Mr Boyd Barrett said.He also referred to proposals in the harbour company’s master plan to develop a “marina village” on land at the “gut” area near the west pier.Independent local councillor Victor Boyhan also spoke against the plans. He said the harbour company had claimed the proposals were being put forward by the cruise stakeholder group, which included representation from Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, Dún Laoghaire Business Improvement District and the council. He said this raised issues about the council’s independence. He noted the application was in the harbour company’s name only.The council’s position on the cruise facility is due to be debated by the council at its adjourned monthly meeting.]]>UKHMAFri, 16 Oct 2015 11:22:39 +0100USA’s Largest Container Port, Los Angeles, Notes Steep Decline in Tradehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article559
With a 9.4% drop in imports, the largest container port in the U.S. appears to be bearing the brunt of languishing tradeThe Port of Los Angeles and neighboring Port of Long Beach combined handle about 40% of U.S. container trade.

Trade is down at the nation’s largest container port.

Shipments through the Port of Los Angeles fell at a steep rate last month, extending a downward trend over the past year that suggests the port is bearing the brunt of sluggish U.S. international trade.

In September, Los Angeles handled 124,286 loaded twenty-foot equivalent units, a standard measure for container cargo. That was off 17.5% from last September, the 12th straight month that loaded export containers declined from a year ago. Imports declined 9.4% year-over-year, to 372,991 inbound containers.

Shipping at many of the largest U.S. ports has been tepid in recent months. Foundering demand for U.S. goods in the troubled European and Asian economies has clipped exports and overstocking earlier this year by American retailers has led many of them restrain imports heading into the fall.

But most ports aren’t reporting the deep declines that Los Angeles is coping with.

At the neighboring Port of Long Beach, imports fell 1.9% in September while exports were up 6.1% from the same month last year.

For January through August, the major ports of New York and New Jersey, Savannah, Ga. and Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., reported double-digit gains in loaded import containers. Imports at the Port of Oakland were flat for the first nine months of 2015 through September while Long Beach has reported an increase of 2.1% in imports over the same period last year.

The East Coast ports have reaped the benefits of congestion on the West Coast earlier this year related to protracted contract negotiations with the dockworkers’ union there. The talks wrapped up in late February, but the West Coast has been slow to fully recover their cargo volumes as many shippers shifted their goods to different routes after months of uncertainty at the Pacific ports.

Overall, including an additional 233,029 empties, Los Angeles saw a decline of 5.8% in total container volume in September—the largest drop since the height of West Coast port congestion earlier this year.

The inbound container volume at Los Angeles also fell 8.5% from August to September, a break from historic patterns that see business grow as retailers bring in goods for the holiday sales season.

Los Angeles is facing tough comparisons to 2014, when it handled 8.3 million containers, the most since 2007. A spokesman for the Port of Los Angeles said 2014 was a near-record year, and beating last year’s volumes has been challenging in the wake of this year’s congestion problems.

Jim Blaeser, a maritime analyst at consulting firm AlixPartners, said although Los Angeles may be “a victim of its own success” last year, the impact of the labor strife is still hitting the West Coast ports generally.

Empty export containers have exceeded loaded outbound containers for 16 of the last 17 months in Los Angeles. Empties are shipping out at a faster rate at many U.S. ports, particularly those closely tied to trade with China like Los Angeles—a signal of the growing trade imbalance.

From January through September of this year, the port moved a total of 6.1 million containers, down 3% from the same period last year.

Write to Erica E. Phillips at erica.phillips@wsj.com]]>UKHMAFri, 16 Oct 2015 11:30:50 +0100Port Congestion - Solutions ?http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article560
While mega-ships are often blamed for causing port congestion, other factors may be just as critical, including long-standing practices like bunching ship calls together at ports on the weekend, rushing shipments before general rate increases, and misdeclared weights.

“Severe peaks existed long before ships exceeded 10,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units in capacity,” said Andy Lane, partner with Singapore-based CTI Consultancy, speaking at the TPM Asia Conference in Shenzhen. “While this can create temporary ‘congestion,’ it is the paradigms of weekly manufacturing cycles and week closing that need to be challenged and changed.”

Following analysis of data sources developed by IHS Maritime & Trade, Lane found that out of 49,000 calls to 27 major Asian ports in 2014 just 12 percent of vessels were above 10,000 TEUs in size and the larger ships accounted for 22 percent of total volume.

“Clearly mega-ships are not the major part of the problem, although I add the caveat that vessel size may become a bigger part of the problem in the coming years.”

While vessel size increased significantly over the past two years, terminal productivity has not, leading to concerns over potential for congestion. Analysis of IHS data related to quay crane use at the world’s 12 largest ports showed crane utilization rates currently averages around 48 percent.

“If these ports were to raise that to 60 percent, and coupled with a crane speed increase from 28 to 32 moves per hour, neither of which are really stretch targets, it would generate 44 percent extra capacity. Given cranes cost in the region of $10 million each, this would result in a very large increase in return on investment of capital equipment, with a value of more than $1 billion per year.”

The end of the week peak in shipments and its ripple effects are a major factor in port congestion, said Lane. Ships gather in east and south China at the same time in order to meet weekend closing schedules. Given that most ships sail at similar speeds, they arrive in bunches at Southeast Asian hubs and this spreads to feeder ports and beyond to U.S .and European ports.

Robert Jan van Trooijen, CEO of Maersk Line for North Asia, agreed that ‘uneven’ cargo flows are a big part of the problem.

“When you fix the crane issue, the problem gets moved to the yard, when you fix the yard issue, the problem gets moved to hinterland connectivity. Unless you address this on a total supply chain level, a new bottleneck will emerge somewhere else.

Regular rate increases, which result in a rush in cargo volumes directly before the rate increase takes place and a reduction in volumes directly afterwards, are part of the cause of uneven cargo flows. This could be alleviated with a reliable freight rate index that would help to smooth the disruption in the shipping process.

Misdeclared weights are also an important factor in port congestion and a serious cause of disruption and safety issues, said van Trooijen.

“But the key to solving this in my view is improved collaboration and better visibility across the supply chain. The correct ‘e-solutions’ need to be developed and put in place to facilitate better information sharing so supply chains become more predictable and we reduce the number of disruptions by as much as possible.”

Attorney General Peter Judge confirmed to PN that if the vessel is unclaimed it will ultimately become the property of the Crown.Harbour Master Malcolm Jamieson commented that he understood the owners had made some indications that they wished the yacht returned to them.

La Sanmartiniana was towed to Stanley by Falklands Patrol Vessel Protegat late last week and is now under the jurisdiction of Receiver of Wrecks Mick Floyd (photo A Henry)

The yacht is moored safely at FIPASS, “secured and sealed,” in order to protect the property, and all items of value have been removed and are locked away.(Pic. G. Short)

Peter Judge also said if the vessel is unclaimed it will ultimately become the property of the Crown. Asked if FIG will be entitled to a reward commensurate with the value of the yacht if the owners wish it returned, Mr Judge said: “No. We cannot currently quantify the amount but the Government (Receiver of Wreck) will be able to recover all fees and costs and the rules of salvage will also apply.”La Sanmartiniana was towed to Stanley by Falklands Patrol Vessel Protegat late last week and is now under the jurisdiction of Receiver of Wrecks Mick Floyd. It his job to assemble, “the jigsaw, establish the owner and go down the proper route,” said Mr Floyd. He said it was likely to be a lengthy process.The yacht which allegedly belongs to the Argentine Peronist political group La Campora headed by Argentine President Cristina Kirchner’s son Maximo Kirchner, was found on October 7, in the Falklands Outer Conservation Zone (FOCZ) 143 miles from the Islands.

The vessel was reported as abandoned on September 17, in the vicinity of Isla de Los Estados (Argentina). It had reportedly suffered mechanical problems The nine crew had been safely transferred to a fishing vessel.Protegat towed the yacht to Stanley where it was tied up and sealed at the east end of the floating port FIPASS.A FIG press release noted on October 8: “Leaving it to drift would result in it continuing to be a hazard to navigation and maritime activities in the conservation zone.”Penguin News was told the following day that the vessel looked dirty and worse for wear but intact, although Mr Floyd said this week that it could not properly be described as seaworthy.He explained that as Receiver of Wrecks he was obliged to follow the UK’s Merchant Shipping Act 1894 adopted by the Falkland Islands Government.His objectives under the statutes of the Act comprise the preservation of the property and the restoration of that property to the owners, along with processing information with respect to the wreck.The yacht is moored safely at the east end of FIPASS, “secured and sealed,” in order to protect the property, and all items of value have been removed and are locked away under Mr Floyd’s control.It was scheduled that the yacht be examined by a Bio-security Officer and the water inside pumped into containers. Mid week it was still considered unsafe to walk around. Because the vessel was sealed it was unknown whether the yacht captain’s claim of mechanical failure was correct.Harbour Master Malcolm Jamieson commented that he understood the owners had made some indications that they wished the yacht returned to them. He said: “How and when this happens remains unclear…” and reminded that it was under the jurisdiction of Mr Floyd.The yacht still belongs to the rightful owners, it is up to them to issue guidance or instructions as to how they would want to have their property returned to them, healso indicated.Expanding on his original answer Mr Judge told Penguin News: “In relation to the wreck, the salvage ‘rewards’ and the Receiver’s costs, these will be determined in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 (in its application in the Falkland Islands) and sections 224 and 255 and schedule 11 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 by which the Falkland Islands complies with the International Salvage standards set out in the 1989 International Convention on Salvage.”“The method of calculation and determination of the level of fees, charges and ‘rewards’ is, unsurprisingly quite complex and I am afraid there is no easy rule of thumb for determining what these will be at the time a vessel is reclaimed (if indeed it is)” said Mr Judge.Asked if the legal procedure would be costly to FIG, Mr Judge said: “There is no legal procedure in terms of court type proceedings. There is a procedure set out in the legislation which will, if the vessel is claimed, ensure FIG recovers any costs.If the vessel is unclaimed it will ultimately become the property of the Crown.”]]>UKHMAMon, 19 Oct 2015 17:20:03 +0100Not Content with the Rugby now their Catamarans are on the Thames !http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article562
The Galaxy Clipper is lowered into the Thames in London. The vessel completed a 15,000-mile journey from Tasmania, Australia. Picture: Ella PellegriniBy CHARLES MIRANDA in LondonNews Corp Australia Network

THE bustle and vibrancy of 18th Century River Thames is to be recreated in a multi-billion move to cope with the influx of visitors and residents to the British capital London.And in a reverse of when ships left the London docks bound for Australia, it’s the former colony that is sending ships ​and expertise ​to the one-time motherlan​​d ​to show them how it’s done.Yesterday the plan began with the delivery of the first of two ultra-modern Australian designed and built high-speed catamaran ferries being craned into the river with full pomp and ceremony after their 24,000km journey.London in the 1700s through to the Victorian era was the centre of trade with the River Thames one of the busiest waterways in the world chocked with docks and ships. But the physical and economic vibrancy of the tidal waterway diminished by the 20th century with expansion of road and rail networks.Yesterday both the City of London and Port of London Authority (PLA) announced a plan to return the river to its “hey day” to keep passengers and freight moving as the city expansion is expected to see 10 million residents by 2030.“There was a time when the Thames was the centre of the world in many ways, London was the biggest port in the world, it declined in the ‘60 and ‘70s and now we are seeing the renaissance with people coming back to the river,” PLA Harbour Master Mark Towens said.

“Seeing as how we’ve congested our roads with trucks, the transport network is struggling to cope at times and here is a waterway where you don’t have congestion you don’t have traffic jams and its fast and convenient and that’s why we are coming back to where we were.”A draft report on the future of the Thames is to be made public in December but is to include overhauling docks and piers and significantly expanding river commuter networks east.Mr Towens, who has worked the Thames for 16 years, said there was now appreciation for the river and investment particularly from London Mayor Boris Johnson who has personally been driving the need to better utilise the river for work and pleasure.He said there had been some talk about ending the working port aspect of the river but instead authorities decided that that was what made it vibrant like waterways in Australia namely Brisbane and Sydney.

“I think there absolutely are lessons to be learnt from Australia and Brisbane particularly is seen as similar to the Thames, it’s tidal but that city has something like two million people but double the number of piers we have here for a city where we have six or seven million,” Mr Towens said.“That’s why these boats are being built in Australia because you have that much better knowledge than us and that experience because you have been doing it for longer with fast commuter services with river running vessels.”Yesterday, two Tasmanian built Incat vessels were delivered, purpose built to cope with the dramatic tides of the Thames, and lowered into the Thames to sustained horn blasts from surrounding ships and champagne breaking over bows by two champion British athletes.“I’m the third generation of my family to work on the River Thames and it is with immense pride that I now see the river fulfilling its potential for passengers and like it did in its heyday for freight as the essential thoroughfare of London,” CEO of Thames Clippers operators who purchased the boats Sean Collins said.London Mayor Johnson said: “These fabulous top-of-the-range vessels will make it even easier for Londoners and visitors to our city to get from A to B.”

]]>UKHMAWed, 21 Oct 2015 10:45:38 +0100Montrose Port - New Water Supplyhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article563
Montrose Port Authority (MPA) has invested £230,000 in what is believed to be the most efficient quayside water supply system on the east coast of Scotland.

The storage to quayside supply line delivers an impressive 280 tonnes per hour of potable water for ships berthed at Montrose.

Jim Raeper, technical manager for MPA, said: “The system will allow a minimum of 90 tonnes water supply to three ships simultaneously which we believe is unrivalled on the east coast of Scotland. The investment is part of a continued commitment by MPA to offer the marine sector a one stop, rapid turnaround quality service.”

The system is a combined installation and construction by FCH Construction Services Ltd and Ferrier Pumps Ltd. The new system provides a highly reactive, high volume ships water supply system that fully meets the requirements of both current and prospective shipping clients.

Nik Scott-Gray, Chief Executive for MPA said: “This investment is part of our ongoing strategy to serve as quickly and efficiently as possible the ever increasing number of visiting ships from the cargo and oil and gas industries that call into Montrose.”

Above: ABP’s current Marine Operations Apprentices. The company is launching the UK’s first Marine Pilotage Apprenticeship and is currently seeking recruits.

Young people looking to progress their career within the marine industry will be able to take advantage of a brand new apprenticeship scheme aimed at creating the next generation of marine pilots.

The course has been developed by pilotage experts at Associated British Ports (ABP) and is the only one of its kind in the UK.

ABP Marine Training Manager, Martin Gough, explains: “The marine industry has struggled to attract people into senior marine positions for some time and we need to ensure we have robust succession planning in place to make sure our staff are trained to the highest marine standards.

“Typically staff for these positions have previously been Master Mariners wanting to come and work ashore, but the number of people both going to sea and subsequently wanting to do this has been declining for the last 15 years.

“This is why in 2012 we launched the country’s first Marine Operations Apprenticeship Scheme and we now have 13 young people at various stages of the course, all working closely with our marine departments developing the skills needed by the industry and with continuous professional development will be able to fill these senior positions.

“The Pilotage Apprenticeship Scheme was born from our original marine apprenticeship scheme when it became apparent that young people wanting to specialise in pilotage could do so using the apprenticeship route, providing the course was there.”

The course, which is currently enrolling, offers an alternative entry route into pilotage, to mariners who have gained their first level marine qualification and will give two applicants the opportunity to train with the team that controls the shipping movements on the Humber Estuary, the UK’s busiest trading gateway and in ABP’s South Wales ports.

As well as getting to know ABP as a company, pilotage apprentices will undertake a comprehensive training programme involving the use of simulators and manned ship models. They will also spend periods on board ships and tugs understudying the ships Master, tug skipper and Pilots gaining practical ship handling expertise.

Martin Gough continued: “This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who’d like to progress their career in the marine industry. The course will give learners a thorough grounding in ABP as a business, as well as a wide variety of maritime skills, which will ultimately see them become an authorised marine pilot.

“It’s very exciting and I’m looking forward to welcoming our first learners in February 2016.”

Application deadline: 9th November 2015

All applicants will have attained an Officer of the Watch (OOW) Certificate of Competency (STCW 11/1) that is unlimited in terms of area and tonnage, and will hold a full manual driving license valid for use within the UK.]]>UKHMATue, 27 Oct 2015 14:44:05 +0000Seaforth Docks - First Biomass Shipment for Drax Powerhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article565
Photo :-Train full of biomass leaves Drax Power’s new £100m handling depot at Seaforth Docks. Left, Gary Hodgson (Peel Ports), and Andy Koss (Drax Power). Picture by GAVIN TRAFFORD

The first shipments from a £100m biomass handling facility on the Port of Liverpool have started.

Almost 50 jobs have been created at the Seaforth Container Terminal site which Peel Ports operates for the huge Drax power station in Yorkshire.

The port will handle up to 3m tonnes of wood pellets a year imported from North America which will be taken by train every day to power the plant.

The pellets are a by-product of the commercial forestry and saw-milling industry and will provide the Selby-based facility with a new, sustainable low carbon fuel source.

Nearly 50 staff will work at the port facility, but a further 300 jobs have been created as part of the supply chain process.

The biomass terminal includes a rail loading facility and a 100,000 tonnes storage capacity.

Yesterday the first freight train with 25 specially-designed wagons carrying 1,600 tonnes of pellets left the dock site for the 99-mile journey to the power station, which last year provided more than 12% of the UK’s renewable electricity.

Andy Koss, chief executive of Drax Power, told ECHO Business: “This is a very, very important day for us, the first train leaving Liverpool. We have just completed phase one and Peel have done a cracking job to get us here today.”

The terminal, owned and operated by Ligna Biomass (a company owned by the shareholders of Peel Ports), will become fully operational next July when phase two is completed and it will be able to facilitate up to 10 train loads of pellets to be sent to Drax each day.

Mr Koss said in the meantime the service will move to four trains a day fairly quickly.

Drax has six generators and three are biomass-fuelled.

Mr Koss said if the Government approves proposals for a fourth generator to be converted to biomass fuels, hopefully in the next six to 12 months, it would mean more of a workload for the Port of Liverpool operation.

He said: “Liverpool is one of four ports we use, including three on the east coast, which provides a robust supply chain.

“We use both east and west coast ports to deliver reliable power.

“If we get the go-ahead from the Government to convert a fourth generator to biomass, it would lead to more work for Peel,” he added.]]>UKHMATue, 27 Oct 2015 14:51:34 +0000River Hamble - Annual Bathymetric Surveyhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article567
ABP Marine Environmental Research ltd (ABPmer) has been contracted by the River Hamble Harbour Authority to undertake its 2015 annual bathymetric survey.

The survey is carried out to help the River Hamble Harbour Authority to maintain its knowledge of the water depths within the river and to capture any morphological changes that might be occurring over time.

ABPmer has been undertaking hydrographic surveys of the river annually since the 1990s which nominally covers the area from the harbour entrance to the tidal reaches at Curdridge and Botley.

Different sections of the river are surveyed on a rolling programme ensuring that all areas of the Harbour Authority’s jurisdiction are covered at least every 5 years. The decision on which stretch to be surveyed in any one year is determined by the requirements of the Hamble Harbour Master.

Claire Brown, ABPmer Head of Data said “We are delighted to be undertaking the annual River Hamble bathymetric survey for another year. Our survey team is very familiar with the channel having undertaken the hydrographic surveys for nearly two decades.

The surveys were originally carried out in the early summer months, however over the years, as the numbers of vessel movements have increased during this period they have been undertaken on spring tides during the autumn equinox. Surveying at this time of year not only provides a clearer waterway within which to work but also enables the area of survey coverage to be maximised with access to the river margins as well as the main channels.”]]>UKHMAThu, 29 Oct 2015 16:51:45 +0000Falmouth Harbourmaster Fights Back !http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article568
By WBGayle | Posted: October 28, 2015

HUNDREDS of people have signed an online petition opposing plans to build a floating marina at Falmouth’s historic Custom House Quay.

Earlier this month Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC) submitted plans to Cornwall Council outlining its vision to transform the quay into a modern floating marina for 60 small boats, along with other facilities in the area.

A petition calling for Falmouth Town Council and Cornwall Council to reject the plans, had, as of this morning, received more than 500 signatures.

Set up by David Barnicoat, a weekly contributor to the Falmouth Packet newspaper, the petition states the FHC ’wish to transform this area into a yachting complex’ and claims smaller boat owners will be forced out of the marina.

It adds: ’The proposal will rob the quays of their ambience and generate more vehicular traffic around what is already a heavily congested area.’

Mark Sansom, harbour master and chief executive of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, said the information provided in the petition is misleading.

He said: ’David Barnicoat’s petition is misleading as it states we are planning to build a ’yachting complex’ suggesting that small boat owners will be forced out.

’The proposed berths are not for yachts, they are for small day boats, dinghies and tenders up to six metres in length.’

He added that charges for the new berths have not yet been set and said he wished to ’politely point out’ to Mr Barnicoat that the town offers some of the most competitive mooring rates in Cornwall.

He continued: ’In terms of the ambience and character, the Quay will continue to be a beautiful spot for Falmouth and will remain open for all to enjoy.’

The FHC said there are more than 400 people on its facility waiting lists, most of which are local residents.

The Commission states the development will help meet customer demand and secure the port’s long-term viability.

The petition, which was launched on October 24, has received support from across the world.

“Some 40% of the food on our supermarket shelves arrives by sea, so it must be checked efficiently in the most hygienic conditions.

“The significant investment currently underway across the UK means our major ports remain world leaders, contributing billions to the UK economy and creating thousands of skilled jobs.”

Steve Gallant, Suffolk Coastal cabinet member for community health, said with port and council staff next door, examinations can be done even more quickly.

He said: “Being neighbours will also allow a closer understanding of each other’s business and that can only lead to even better efficiency and effectiveness in the future.”

Clemence Cheng, chief executive officer of the Port of Felixstowe, said the ambient-temperature facility opened yesterday was an example of the port’s commitment to investment to ensure customers receive the highest possible levels of service.

He said: “The dedication of our experienced examination facilities team, and the close working relationship they have with the Port Health Authority, will ensure that together we deliver the very best, most efficient inspection process of any UK port.”]]>UKHMAFri, 30 Oct 2015 19:07:38 +0000Downturn at Lerwick Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article570
For the first time after several years of steady growth, the harbour has recorded a downturn in activity in the three significant sectors of oil and gas, fishing and cruise ships during the first nine months of 2015.

Despite the disappointing figures, Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Sandra Laurenson remained confident for the future and said the reduced activity levels had been forecast.

“We knew that the peak activity levels we enjoyed in recent years would not continue and our forecasts for the year to date are on target to match our predictions for 2015,” she said.

“Oil and gas activity is at the level we anticipated and overall traffic numbers have held up well.”

However a decline in fish landings of 20 per cent in volume and 39 per cent in value are a cause for concern.

Total fish landings at 37,095 tonnes were valued at £27.1 million during the first nine months.

Whitefish landings are down 2.5 per cent on volume at 7,286 tonnes, and 5.7 per cent on value at £11.1 million. The price per tonne has fallen 3.2 per cent to an average of £1,530.

The more valuable mackerel fishery was down last winter and the autumn fishery has been delayed, raising hopes the final year outcome will be better.

The number of passengers visiting on cruise ships was down by 30 per cent to 30,043, partly due to poor weather at sea leading to cancelled visits.

However the number of people arriving on the NorthLink ferries rose by 0.7 per cent to 142,594.

Meanwhile the total number of vessels arriving in Lerwick harbour between January and September rose by 24 compared to the same period in 2014.

Tonnage was down though by four per cent at 9.2 million gross tonnes, reflecting a decline in the offshore energy and cruise markets.

Cargo handling declined by 11 per cent to 811,018 tonnes, including a 12 per cent drop in offshore shipments.

Laurenson said there were many positive signs for the future, especially in the tourism and fishing sectors.

“More herring has been landed in 2015 and at improved prices; a record-breaking cruise season is booked for 2016, with 70 vessels and more than 50,000 passengers, and the completion of expansion projects next year will reinforce our position as a leading centre for the fishing industry and supporting offshore subsea developments and decommissioning,” she said. ]]>UKHMASun, 01 Nov 2015 14:19:40 +0000Ullapool Harbour project commended at Saltire Awardshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article571
2/11/2015Lisa Falconer

The recently-completed Ullapool Harbour berth improvement was one of only four projects to receive a commendation from the Saltire Society and the Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland at a ceremony on 28th October in the National Museum of Scotland.

This year, 17 projects were shortlisted for the highly-regarded awards which celebrate outstanding civil engineering achievement, innovation and ingenuity in Scotland. Alongside the overall winner, the Edinburgh Haymarket Station redevelopment, only four entries received commendations. These were the Ullapool Harbour improvements, the new Borders Railway line, the redevelopment of Hampden Park for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and a flood alleviation scheme in Inverness.

The work at Ullapool was undertaken to accommodate the new Ullapool-Stornoway ferry MV ‘Loch Seaforth’, and was completed on schedule, on budget and with the least possible disruption to the travelling public. A 33-metre extension of the ferry berthing pier, a new high-impact fender system, a new vehicle linkspan and a second-storey extension to the terminal building to accommodate a new passenger access system were designed and installed.

To ensure ferry services weren’t disrupted, the pier extension was built as a caisson at Inchgreen dry dock, towed to Ullapool and fitted between ferry arrivals.

Total costs of £19 million were shared by Ullapool Harbour Trust and Transport Scotland and the entire project was completed in an 18-month period.

“Our design team, Wallace Stone, and engineers, RJ MacLeod, are outstanding professionals and as a team we worked extremely well together. A number of Highland companies delivered much of the innovation and professional excellence for which this project has been rightly commended. CMAL and Transport Scotland couldn’t have been more supportive.”

He added: “We are thrilled to have been recognised for an achievement which benefits both the travelling public and our local community. Excellent infrastructure projects such as this are central to enabling rural areas such as ours to thrive.”]]>UKHMATue, 03 Nov 2015 10:30:06 +0000MMO Blog: Marine developmentshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article572
Through access to marine data we can better protect and manage our seas

carlharvey, 6 November 2015 — marine planning

Our seas are an incredible resource for us all, but as population and industry grow so does our dependence on the marine environment.

With national and international recognition that current levels of use and growth are unsustainable, the need to better manage our seas is now urgent.

The question is how? Our seas are vastly complex and diverse, with ecosystems intrinsically linked to one another. At the same time innovations and new technologies are focussing on using our seas to provide us with the materials and energy we need to continue to grow and develop. So how do we support these necessary new developments whilst protecting traditional industries and conserving marine life and their habitats?

One of the answers is marine planning.

Marine planning is at the centre of the Marine Management Organisation’s work. Our approach to marine planning in England is world leading, receiving international recognition. Just like land planning, marine planning will enable us to make more informed and coordinated decisions, helping to resolve potential conflicts between business, recreational activities and the environment.

Through marine plans we can understand what activities can take place, where and under what conditions. But it’s not just about understanding – building on the process to produce the plans, the real success is comes through their adoption and use.

The next challenge then is how to make the huge amount of data and materials needed to develop a plan simple and easy to use. To help this we have developed the Marine Information System (MIS).

The Marine Information System opens up marine data – from shipping routes to marine licence locations to marine conservation zones. It is completely digital, accessible for anyone with an internet connection on a mobile, tablet or PC. Through its mapping system users can get a real time snapshot of the sea. Updated every 24 hours to show the latest information, it means that developers can plan where new activities can take place, maximising opportunities for economic growth without wasting resources or damaging important marine ecosystems. As well as data, MIS also displays localised marine plan policies which public authorities will use for all decision making for activities and developments in or affecting the marine area.

The Marine Information System and how it displays and uses data is the future of marine planning. With it we can ensure that more people understand and use England’s marine plans, and ultimately protect our seas and their resources for future generations.]]>UKHMAFri, 06 Nov 2015 13:17:55 +0000Defra: Marine plans in England - update reporthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article573
Follow link to download full report.]]>UKHMAFri, 06 Nov 2015 13:28:25 +0000Mystery Island Port Proposed near Melbournehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article580
It’s Melbourne’s own tiny Atlantis - a mystery island to be built to expand the city’s port but no one can explain whose idea it was.

Treasury documents leaked to The Age show a new island was proposed for Port Phillip Bay to expand the Port of Melbourne’s size.

But no one is prepared to take credit for the mystery island.

"I’d never ever seen any of those plans put to me, they were never put to the previous treasurer," opposition leader Matthew Guy told reporters on Tuesday.

Mr Guy said the previous coalition government was working on building a container port in Hastings, south east of Melbourne, so had no plans to expand Melbourne’s port.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the container island proposal must have come from the previous government.

"This is entirely the product of the former failed government, who no doubt leaked it all," he told reporters.

"We have absolutely no intention of doing that."

The Age reports the container island plans were handed to the government’s port lease team in February.

The Port of Melbourne lease legislation is being examined in a parliamentary committee, with the government wanting it passed before the end of the year.

Mr Guy said the bill was a "shambles" and would be torn apart by the upper house, but it would not be blocked.

"I don’t think the parliament wants to block any port sale legislation, I think we want to improve it," he said.

The government plans to use the money raised from the 50-to-70-year lease of the port to pay for suburban level crossing removals.

]]>UKHMAWed, 25 Nov 2015 08:03:34 +0000Belfast Harbour Constructionhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article574
The offices will go some way to addressing Belfast’s current lack of Grade A office accommodation.

The building, next to City Quays 1, which opened earlier this year will be completed by early 2017.

It will also feature waterfront retail space on the ground floor.

Belfast Harbour chairman Dr David Dobbin said: “Earlier this year we completed City Quays 1, of which 85 per cent is currently or soon to be occupied. This demonstrates that there is a high demand for office space of this quality and specification within Belfast.

“Belfast Harbour is delighted to appoint a local contractor to build what we expect to be an impressive addition to the waterfront, and we are pleased with how quickly the development is progressing overall.

“We have already had interest from prospective tenants in knowledge-based sectors and look forward to adding more world-class organisations to the 700 already located in the Harbour Estate.”

“We have a fully committed team to ensure the contract is delivered with the highest safety standards, and within programme and cost requirements.”

]]>UKHMAThu, 19 Nov 2015 09:23:04 +0000Glenelg Harbour - Visitor Centre Planhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article575
The famed Glenelg ferry crossing to Skye is set for a boost with plans for a new bothy and visitor centre.

Operators of the crossing, which is the last seafaring manually-operated turntable ferry in the world, have been granted principle planning permission to enhance the popular service out of the remote west coast harbour.

The plans could see the crossing upgraded. Despite competition from the much more easily-accessible Skye Bridge, the historic crossing from Glenelg to the idyllic island still attracts over 30,000 passengers each year.

Now, The Isle of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company have a vision for a ‘bothy’ to be created at the landslip, providing a visitor centre and cafe.

Jo Crawford, the company’s ferry development officer, said they hope to provide improved facilities for travellers while also increase revenue.

She added: “This is a vital service for the community. We provide significant employment in this small, fragile area.

“There is also the prospect that this will create further jobs in a community of less than 250 people.”

The community-owned company, which took over the running of the route in 2007, employs two full-time and two part-time staff throughout the year, with a further nine seasonal workers.

They currently sell merchandise out of a small lighthouse building at the slipway, and provide tea, coffee and homebakes via an honesty box – all of which generates £12,000 a year.

But, Ms Crawford said a new building could increase income substantially and this would go towards the running costs of maintaining the ferry.

She added: “We hope to attract more travellers by improving the service. People continue to take this route because of the astonishing views.

“People come from all over the world to visit our ferry. Sometimes, they even get married on it. More often, passengers spot seals and herons, perhaps even an otter or our local sea-eagle.”

The MV Glenachulish runs between Kylerhea on Skye and Glenelg on the mainland, where the visitor centre would be build.

It would be a split-level building situated next to the council-owned car park above the slipway.

The centre would be tucked into the slope of a hill offering views out across the Kylerhea narrows.

There has been a car ferry service crossing the Kylerhea straits since 1934. However, the closest point to the Isle of Skye has been a crossing point for hundreds of years.

Highland councillors granted principal permission for the centre last week.

The ferry and her slipways either side of the Kylerhea Narrows are renowned among wildlife spotters.

Ms Crawford said: “Many grey seals can be seen daily fishing deep, narrow sound, particularly on a flood tide which brings a plethora of mackerel amongst other fish for the picking.

“Dolphins are seen too with the occasional pod diving around the ferry to the delight of passengers and crew.

“Enormous basking sharks also take the route via the sound to sieve up the plentiful plankton – a sight that will really knock your socks off.

“Otters can be seen also, although they are notoriously shy creatures and you need patience and a little luck to secure a sighting.

“Many different varieties of sea birds are common here too. Among the frequent visitors are oyster catchers, on the rocks and shore, shags, cormorants, gulls of all sorts, shearwaters and many others.

“Eagles, buzzards and this year for the first time, ospreys. The king among them all, of course, has to be our resident sea eagle, named Victor after the prominent ‘V’ on his red wing tags. Victor and his partner Orla have fledged chicks in the locale for the last five years and this year, unusually, raised two youngsters.

“Victor takes his parenting very seriously and can be seen daily around the narrows harrying gulls on the flood tide to release their hard won catches to take home to feed the hungry nest occupants.

“He puts on a spectacular show each day and the ferry skipper is only too happy to spend a little longer on the crossing to provide an excellent view of this most majestic of birds.”

]]>UKHMAThu, 19 Nov 2015 09:35:13 +0000David MacBrayne wins Marchwood Contracthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article576
Solent Gateway will be responsible for managing movements through Marchwood Military Port on Southampton WaterA transport firm owned by the Scottish government has won a bid to run a UK military port as part of a joint venture.Gourock-based David MacBrayne and GBA (Holdings) were awarded a 35-year deal to manage movements through Marchwood Military Port on Southampton Water.The MoD contract was awarded to their joint venture, Solent Gateway Ltd.MacBrayne is the parent firm of Calmac Ferries, which has operations at 24 ports, harbours and slipways.GBA, which is based in Grimsby, provides logistics services to the automotive, shipping and renewables industries.It currently operates from 14 ports in the UK, handling more than 1.7 million vehicles a year.’Combined strengths’David MacBrayne chief executive Martin Dorchester said the joint venture would "play to the combined strengths" of both companies.He added: "We are delighted with this news which reinforces David MacBrayne’s credentials as an internationally recognised operation able to compete successfully in the global market place."It is an ideal extension of our current skills and experience of running ports across the west coast."While our core service will be managing a port that will continue to meet the military’s requirements, we look forward to working with GBA to maximise the commercial potential of Marchwood."Solent Gateway will start operating Marchwood from April 2016.]]>UKHMAThu, 19 Nov 2015 09:48:03 +0000Penzance - Salvage of the Jolly Rogerhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article577
THE sinking and eventual salvage of the Jolly Roger from the Wet Dock in Penzance harbour has "been a bit of a wake-up call", according to the Cornwall Harbourmaster.

THE sinking and eventual salvage of the Jolly Roger from the Wet Dock in Penzance harbour has "been a bit of a wake-up call", according to the Cornwall Harbourmaster.

The former fishing vessel which had partially been converted into a replica pirate ship, sank overnight on November 1-2.

When the Jolly Roger was first discovered with not much more than her masts sticking out, there was also a strong smell of diesel.

Seawide Services, a salvage company based in Falmouth, were immediately called in and, together with the Terramare landing craft and Danmark Maritime, both based in Penzance, the first job was to deal with what Captain Brigden, the Cornwall Harbourmaster, described as a ’Tier One’ oil spill.

In all, 330 litres of oil was skimmed off the surface of the harbour in the ensuing days before work eventually started to refloat the Jolly Roger as divers fixed chains and airbags to the hull to bring her back to the surface.

Captain Brigden says that the expenses – running into "tens of thousands of pounds" – incurred in getting the Jolly Roger back to the surface will be passed on to the owner.

"The harbourmaster has the ability in law to remove any wrecks in the harbour," he said.

"And the law also says that the expense of removing it should be paid by the owner so we will make a claim."

The affair has highlighted the fact that there are a number of other vessels currently berthed in Penzance harbour which may or may not be seaworthy while the fact that the 151ft former Swedish ice-breaker was moved a few yards away to allow the slavage work to progress has reminded people of the attractive views across the harbour and towards St Michael’s Mount from Wharf Road.

Captain Brigden said that the sinking had concentrated minds about the harbour.

"This has been a bit of a wake-up call," he said.

"We are working on a plan for Penzance for the next five or six years but there a some quick fixes we can make.

"We have a number of boats in the harbour which are unserviceable and perhaps not looked after properly.

"We plan to ask at least couple of boat owners to make repairs and we can also shift other boats around the harbour."

]]>UKHMASat, 21 Nov 2015 18:16:57 +0000Lowestoft Wins Construction Base Contracthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article578
.Galloper Wind Farm Limited (GWFL) has today, in partnership with Associated British Ports (ABP) and OGN Group, announced that the Port of Lowestoft has been selected as the base for the construction of the project.

Around 40 personnel will work from the OGN Group facility over the two year construction period. The deal signifies a multi-million investment into the local economy both in terms of lease and port payments and the preparation of the facility ahead of it becoming the project’s offshore construction base.

The announcement coincides with Offshore Wind Week and was confirmed today by Waveney Member of Parliament, Peter Aldous, at an event hosted at OrbisEnergy in Lowestoft. He said: “This is very welcome news and confirms Lowestoft’s position as a centre for the offshore wind industry. The project will bring new jobs to the area, further opportunities for existing businesses and can act as a catalyst for further growth in the sector.”

ABP Director Andrew Harston said: “ABP’s Port of Lowestoft already supports around 1,200 jobs and contributes around £80 million to the economy. This positive development by RWE Innogy which utilises the extensive OGN facility to provide a ’ready to go’ support base for Galloper underpins the port’s role as a key driver of both the local and regional economy, with the potential to make a significant contribution to the prosperity of the town and it’s hinterland.”

Dave Edwards, CEO of OGN Group said: “This is great news for us, the port and for the local area. We are delighted to be supporting GWFL during the construction of their prestigious windfarm off our coast. From OGN’s base in Commercial road, we look forward to working with the Galloper team in achieving a successful project.”

The GWFL team will mobilise on site in March 2016 and before moving into the construction phase in June 2016. The site, which was formally an oil operations base, is located within the ABP facility in Lowestoft. Further GWFL project announcements, including the final decision on the Operations & Maintenance base are expected to be made in the coming months.

Construction of the wind farm, which will be capable of generating up to 336MW, enough energy for up to 336,000 homes, is set to create around 700 jobs during construction and around 90 jobs once operational.]]>UKHMASat, 21 Nov 2015 18:21:24 +0000Falmouth Harbour’s case for Dredging on BBC’s Countryfilehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article579
Falmouth Harbour was on BBC One’s Countryfile Sunday 22 November as the programme looked at the dredging of British ports.

The programme, which was broadcast November 22, 6.15pm) featured an interview with the Falmouth Harbour Commissioner’s (FHC) Chief Executive and Harbour Master, Captain Mark Sansom.

The FHC has applied to dredge part of Falmouth Harbour in order to enable larger vessels to berth in the port which it argues will protect the future of the docks.

Captain Mark Sansom, said: "Countryfile’s story was a good opportunity to highlight the tremendous importance of dredging. The Port is one of the main employers in Cornwall and provides significant economic benefit to the local economy.

"The Port needs to develop to keep up with increases in ship size. This is well illustrated by the cruise sector where cruise calls have dropped significantly due to the increasing size of the vessels and increasing reluctance to tender passengers ashore from an anchorage."

Plans to dredge Falmouth Harbour were first submitted in 2004 with a further application in 2009.

It is expected that a updated environmental statement will soon be submitted by FHC to the Marine Management Organisation.

]]>UKHMAMon, 23 Nov 2015 08:42:54 +0000Plymouth Fisheries Open New Ice Planthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article581
Plymouth Fisheries has showcased its newly completed £1.2 million ice production facility to some of the organisations which helped to secure funding for the scheme.

The ice plant opened this spring at England’s second largest fresh fish market based in Plymouth’s Sutton Harbour.

It is part of an ongoing £1.2m investment by owners Sutton Harbour Holdings plc and has been part-funded by grants totalling more than £500,000 from the European Fisheries Fund via the Marine Management Organisation.

Senior officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the MMO and the programme monitoring committee for the European Fisheries Fund and its successor, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, visited Plymouth Fisheries to see the completed development and learn more about plans for the future.

Michelle Willis, MMO chief finance officer who has responsibility for overseeing both the UK and England EFF programme, said: "It is always great to be able to visit places like Plymouth Fisheries and see the difference funding from the European Fisheries Fund can make to the fishing industry.

"European funding provides a vital link to fishing communities and it is rewarding to see the change it is making to peoples’ lives."

The ongoing £1.2m investment in Plymouth Fisheries has enabled a new ice plant to be created at the fisheries complex to guarantee the provision of ice on site 24 hours a day, offering an essential service to the region’s fishermen.

A further £30,000 is being invested in updating facilities at the fisheries complex, including a major upgrade of the external lighting systems.

Pete Bromley, harbour master and manager of Plymouth Fisheries, said: "The entire fishing industry depends on a constant supply of ice so it was vital that Plymouth Fisheries replaced the old plant to meet the needs of fishermen using the complex.

"We were delighted to welcome senior officials from the MMO and Defra who secured the European Fisheries Fund grants which have helped to make this investment possible, and to show them around the completed chill chain project which includes the ice plant, a brand new chiller, and the complete refurbishment of existing chiller facilities. The addition of a second chiller has increased fish handling capacity by around 50%."

Plymouth Fisheries has revitalised the local fishing industry since the purpose-built complex was opened in Fish Quay by Sutton Harbour Holdings plc 20 years ago.

Now the second largest fish market in England, a recent independent report revealed that Plymouth Fisheries supports 565 jobs and contributes £22.6million a year to the city’s economy.

Jason Schofield, chief executive of Sutton Harbour Holdings plc, said: "Plymouth Fisheries is committed to supporting the region’s fishing industry and doing anything we can to improve the service we provide to local fisherman to help this industry grow and thrive.

"The EFF grant was instrumental in helping to fund the much-needed new ice plant, which will transform the facilities we can offer in Sutton Harbour and enable Plymouth’s fish market to strengthen its already impressive national position, and we were proud to showcase the results of this investment to those who helped make this project possible."

The current annual income at the harbour is less than £300,000 and officers say that a fuel transfer charge will help bring the struggling venue an added £100,000 every year.

Buckie councillor Gordon McDonald, who also serves as the chairman of the Buckie Harbour advisory committee, last night said backing the move should be “a no brainer” for members of the policy and resources committee.Related Articles

Last month Moray Council unveiled a project aimed at boosting business across the region’s financially floundering harbours.

After learning that its six ports were operating at a collective loss of about £135,000, the authority launched a string of proposals designed to boost their profitability.

Mr McDonald said that if early estimates proved correct, the cash netted by imposing fuel charges at Buckie could almost single-handedly counter the debt afflicting all of the region’s ports.

Mr McDonald added: “If the scheme is as successful as officers believe it will be then that would have a major influence on the harbour being far more of an asset.

“That could almost wipe out all the debt for all the harbours in Moray, and that would be an amazing achievement.”

It is proposed that the transfer of marine gasoil from sea-going vessels to road tankers should be promoted.

Officers have compiled a dossier outlining the possible benefits of the scheme to elected members.

The report says: “There is the potential for the transfer of over 50,000 tonnes of fuel per annum at Buckie Harbour, in partnership with just one local company.

“It is proposed that the fuel transfer charge at Buckie Harbour should be set at £2.00 per tonne.

“If the plans are established, new income of £100,000 per annum could be generated for Buckie Harbour.”

Councillors have been advised that at Aberdeen harbour fuel is transferred at a cost of £1.94 per tonne and a charge of £1.90 is imposed per tonne at Scrabster harbour.

The authority hopes that if measures such as the fuel transfer charge prove successful, the ports at Buckie, Burghead, Hopeman, Findochty, Portknockie and Cullen can all become self-funding within five years.

]]>UKHMAThu, 26 Nov 2015 09:38:28 +0000Plans for Yorkshire Harbour & Marina Move Aheadhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article583
The Bridlington Area Action Plan (AAP), which was adopted by the council in 2013, highlighted the harbour area’s potential as a key spur for the town’s regeneration and the council and commissioners are now working together to look in more detail at the design and costs options of the layout previously agreed in the AAP. The new harbour and marina may include:a new main south pier and an extension to the north pierimproved facilities for the town’s fishing fleet, including vessel maintenance and storage facilitiesa new marina with berthing space for circa 250 leisure vesselsenhanced arrangements for the town’s pleasure boat operatorsspace for firms involved in the maintenance of the offshore wind energy installations to operateadditional quayside space for operational use, as well as for potential hotel, commercial, leisure, residential and car parking development.The council and the Bridlington Harbour Commissioners have now entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to reflect the commitment of the parties to work together to deliver the proposal.Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This announcement is yet more good news for Bridlington and demonstrates this authority’s commitment to regenerate the town, expand its tourism offer and strengthen its reputation as a top visitor destination.“Discussions with Bridlington Harbour Commissioners over the implementation of the proposal are at an early stage and we will now need to establish whether we can agree a scheme that is workable and affordable for both parties. We are very pleased to have struck an agreement to work together for the benefit of the town and our residents. “The council and commissioners will now work on finalising the development plans, confirming the costs of the project and securing external funding.”Chris Wright, chairman of Bridlington Harbour Commissioners, said:“Bridlington Harbour Commissioners are committed to working with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and look forward to reaching an agreement and finalising development plans for a scheme which will enhance and regenerate the area by bringing up-to-date commercial and leisure facilities and will be of benefit to the wider community of Bridlington.”To bring the project forward, the council has seconded its head of planning and development management, Pete Ashcroft, to the newly-created post of director of Yorkshire Harbour and Marina Project. In this role, he will work closely with the commissioners and the wider community to progress the scheme.“I’m very excited to be taking up this new role and look forward to working with all our partners to develop the Yorkshire Harbour and Marina plans further, identify and secure additional funding and subsequently start work on this multi-million-pound project, which will bring benefits to Bridlington for decades to come,” said Pete.]]>UKHMAThu, 26 Nov 2015 09:42:40 +0000Rocket Debris Washes up in the Scillieshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article584
Wreckage from the unmanned SpaceX Falcon-9 was discovered yesterday by a Tresco boat between Bryher and Tresco islands.

Mark Jones, assistant Harbour Master for the Isles of Scilly, said: ’The boat that found it thought it was a beached whale but when they went to lift it they thought it was a piece of an aircraft.

’The piece was 10 metres long and the Tresco boat couldn’t lift it so our Lyonesse Lady boat lifted it alongside and took it to Tresco Estate. When removing the barnacles they found the US flag.

’It was confirmed this morning to be Space X’s rocket and they are waiting to hear back from the company to see if they want the piece back. It took four months for the piece to travel from Florida to here.’

The Coastguard immediately issued a warning to shipping in the area.

Martin Leslie, Coastal Area Commander, said ’The markings show an American flag. It looks like it’s an American rocket and seems most likely to be the unmanned Space X Falcon 9 which blew up shortly after take-off from Cape Canaveral in June.

’We’re grateful for all those who helped in its recovery – it was a great example of the community working together.’

The piece of rocket is currently being held on the beach at Tresco Estate.

Mike Nelhams, garden curator and a board member at Tresco Estate, said: ’The piece was spotted yesterday at 2.30pm where it was spotted floating in the channel. Our local boat and the Lyonesse Lady pulled it into the beach. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency were on Tresco at the time and called the incident into Falmouth.

’The piece is covered in goose barnacles except for the bit that was cleared which revealed the stars and stripes flag. We found out tit was part of a rocket missile from the Falcon that went up in June and exploded.

’Someone from the Estate called the company and we are waiting for a response. It is not an easy piece to move as it is quite hefty and we are expecting to hear something around Monday or Tuesday. Perhaps they will say thank you and ask us to dispose of it and perhaps the Isles of Scilly Council will dispose of it.’

FERRY campaigners have called on Nicola Sturgeon to tackle "anti-competitive and illegal" harbour charges isolating their rural community.

In a letter to the First Minister, Susanna Rice, convener of the Dunoon-Gourock Ferry Action Group, said their members in Argyll were "not prepared to be left dangling without a proper ferry service any longer" and criticised "excessive harbour charges" set by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL).

A long-standing local campaign has been waged in Dunoon for the return of a service similar to that previously operated by CalMac. But in 2011 ministers tendered the route as a passenger-only operation, now operated by CalMac’s sister company Argyll Ferries.

A subsequent exercise was undertaken by the Scottish Government to assess the potential interest among operators of running a car ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon town centres, without the need for additional subsidy, ahead of the new ferry contract being awarded. The new term is due to begin on July 1 2017.

Six companies responded but only one said it would run a car ferry, and then "only if Scottish Government bore revenue risk for the vehicle service".

The Scottish Government has stressed that any vehicle component would be run entirely at the operator’s commercial risk.

However, Ms Rice said the action group had identified a private operator willing to consider commissioning new car ferries, a potential shipbuilder willing to build the new vessels, and private finance to fund the new ships.

But she added that their efforts were being hampered by delays in Transport Scotland publishing an Invitation to Tender, adding that the situation was exacerbated CMAL - the public body which owns Gourock harbour - planning to charge pier dues and berthing charges of £3 million per annum.

She said: "This is more than five times the operational cost. We have raised our concerns at excessive harbour charges for over three years now without success. Indeed, when we initially raised our concerns at excessive harbour charges, CMAL responded by increasing harbour charges.

"We wrote to you, Derek Mackay and Alyn Smyth MEP, a solicitor with qualifications in European law, pointing out that the proposed harbour charges were anti competitive and contrary to Article 82 of the EU Treaty. But still we cannot get satisfaction."

A CMAL spokeswoman said the charges affected a "very small number of customers" and were in line with the revenue required to operate, maintain and improve the west of Scotland’s harbours and compliant with EU competition law.

She added: "Without detail of exact vessels and service frequency, CMAL is unable to comment on berthing charges for a proposed privately operated service on the Gourock to Dunoon route.

A spokesman for Transport Scotland said the ferry service contract would be "awarded in good time" and that Transport Minister Derek Mackay would "take another look" at the harbour charges following concerns raised by the action group.

The spokesman added: “Scottish Ministers have worked closely with the Gourock Dunoon Ferry Services Steering Group to consider the options available for tendering this service. Ministers have concluded that the next contract should be tendered on the basis of a passenger-only subsidy, whilst also encouraging bidders to provide an unsubsidised vehicle service at their own commercial risk. We will undertake a competitive tendering exercise to this effect in 2016."]]>UKHMAMon, 30 Nov 2015 11:32:01 +0000New Tug for Portland Porthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article585
Managers from Portland Port have splashed out £2.6million to buy the tug boat from Hull to help manoeuvre ships and cruise liners into place at the port.

The port, which has just celebrated its busiest year for cruise liners, now has a fleet of three tug boats allowing it to accommodate ships that weigh more than 130 tonnes.

The boat, which is also fitted with jets meaning it can tackle fires if they erupt on board ships, made a 40-hour journey from its previous port in Hull to its new home in south Dorset.

It was renamed as the Rufus Castle boat at a special opening ceremony hosted by south Dorset MP Richard Drax and other dignitaries, joining the other tugboats Wyke Castle and Maiden Castle.

Captain Michael Shipley said: “We are delighted that we now have the Rufus Castle supporting operations here at Portland.

“This increases our capacity to handle some of the larger vessels when otherwise we were restricted by the available bollard pull and prevailing weather.

“The addition of the Rufus Castle to the port’s other two tugs Maiden Castle and Wyke Castle increases our capability to tug in excess of 130T.”

Now that it’s in operation, it will now immediately start undertaking towage and offshore support services.

MP Richard Drax, who officially opened the boat in a naming ceremony at the port, said: “The good news is that this tug is needed because of the port expanding, and more and more ships are coming in.

“This is going to generate more business and more employment for local people, which is obviously great news as the port is already a big part of the local economy of south Dorset, and of course Weymouth and Portland.

“The port’s managers would not have invested a lot of money into the boat if it wasn’t needed. The port has been managed astutely for many years and they wouldn’t have bought it if it wasn’t essential.

“It is very good news and hopefully the port’s success will continue.”

]]>UKHMASat, 28 Nov 2015 12:29:38 +0000Crown Estate issues reports into the impact of Offshore Wind on human well-beinghttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article587
The two linked research reports represent the outcomes from a study commissioned by The Crown Estate from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML). The first report explores the positive and negative impacts arising from the UK offshore wind industry in terms of well-being.

The emphasis is placed on objective measures of well-being relating to material living conditions, such as personal income and jobs, and issues relating to quality of life, such as health.

The framework developed in this work combines a five capitals model and an ecosystem services approach with the Office for National Statistics well-being domains. The five capitals included are: financial, manufactured, human, social and natural capital.

Governance is added as a structure in which decisions about the five capitals are made, but it is also an important driver of well-being.

The investigation described in the second (subsidiary) report had three main aims:1) to understand public perceptions of OWFs in UK waters and their impacts on individual well-being.2) to examine the potential role for OWFs in the UK’s energy mix.3) to identify the perceived barriers to further OWF development.

Despite the lack of relevant data in some areas, the study concludes that, on balance, the offshore wind industry has a largely positive impact on well-being.

A team of several dozen trained responders, including regional council, Northport and Marsden Pt oil refinery staff, had been working to contain and recover what is roughly estimated to be about several hundred litres of fuel oil.

Mr Lyle says at this stage the oil is understood to have come from a ship berthed at Northport and specialised oil containment booms had been put in place both around the vessel and to help protect the nearby coastal environment.

Specialised equipment including boats and a purpose-built oil skimming barge ‘Taranui’ had also been deployed.

While the origin of the spill was still being investigated by council and Maritime NZ staff, the primary focus today was on containing the spill and protecting the local environment.

Mr Lyle says high tide had passed about 12.30pm leaving patches of oil along a several hundred metre stretch of nearby shoreline near Marsden Cove, where a clean-up operation had been under way for some time.

Very small amounts of oil had also found their way into the entrance to the Marsden Cove marina, where again booms and special material to soak up the oil had been put in place.

Mr Lyle says the oil which had found its way ashore would hopefully be cleaned up before the next high tide overnight and attempts to recover oil from the water are ongoing.

Officials had no confirmed reports of oiled wildlife, although bird recovery experts had been among those deployed as part of the response as a precaution.

Mr Lyle says it is too early to say what – if any – enforcement action might be taken in the wake of the incident.

“Again at this stage, our current focus is on containment and recovery.”

]]>UKHMAWed, 02 Dec 2015 08:15:17 +0000Bembridge Harbour Development Gets Go Aheadhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article589
Last night (Tuesday) members agreed to the plans to build new harbour facilities, toilets, showers and houses in the area.

The decision was made despite what council leader Jonathan Bacon described as ‘widespread local opposition’ to the scheme.

Locals were against the development on the grounds that there would be limited benefits to the harbour, the proposed houses would most likely be sold as second homes, and that the proposal fails to meet the criteria of the Bembridge Neighbourhood plan.

It’s claimed the development to the harbour would encourage more people to visit the Island.Council officers claimed that the scheme would improve the harbour and promote the Island’s tourism offer, for the yachting community who travel to Bembridge.

Meanwhile CEO of Visit Isle of Wight David Thornton was at the meeting, and he said the Island needs to encourage more visitors to local harbours, and claimed that the facilities in Bembridge are not sufficient.]]>UKHMAWed, 02 Dec 2015 09:16:13 +0000New Landside Entrance to Whitstable Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article590
Officials are working on improvements to the South Quay and plans have been revealed for a third entrance from Harbour Street.

It will mean pedestrians could access the harbour from a walkway which would lead to the new quay layout.

Improvements at Whitstable Harbour’s South Quay include a third entrance from Harbour Street to create a walkway leading to a new quay layout.Cllr Pat Todd (Con) said: “It’s obvious to anyone that’s got a pair of eyes and goes down there that having something in the middle of the harbour would be advantageous to the public.

“They could branch out left or right from the entrance and people would be in the heart of where they wanted to go.

“It would improve the way the harbour looks. It utilises an area we wouldn’t be able to use in any other way. I think it’s exciting.

“We are beginning to see some movement of what’s occurring and I think there are good times ahead for the harbour.”

Cllr Todd, chairman of Whitstable Harbour Board, said the panel agreed to the plans at last Friday’s meeting.

Meanwhile, the city council has launched a search to find a new operator for the harbour market.

Cllr Pat ToddIt is advertising a seven-year lease for the market, which brings thousands of people to the harbour each year.

The successful bidder will be required to apply for planning application for the new market straight away, with the aim of opening in the spring.

Cllr Todd said: “We are aiming to get open as early as possible.

“The harbour works are well on target so provided we don’t get any blips in the weather, or find anything untoward, hopefully that will be completed on time.

“The market brings so much to the harbour in particular and Whitstable in general, which makes this a wonderful opportunity for someone with vision and passion to take on.

“The chance to run a business like this does not come up too often, so we are expecting a lot of interest.”

]]>UKHMAFri, 04 Dec 2015 09:40:06 +0000Chennai Port Floodedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article591
Operations at the Chennai port, especially in the container segment have been thrown awry by the catastrophic floods that have hit the city, impacting exports for several businesses including auto makers.

’Movement of containers have been severely impacted. This will have a cascading impact for a prolonged period even after the floods are over,’ Cyril C George, deputy chairman at the Chennai Port, told ET.

Containers are usually deployed to carry specialised items including machinery parts and even fully built vehicles. George said bulk cargo operations has also been impacted but that liquid handling is still fine.

’We are trying to assess the exact impact and will come up with some estimates shortly,’ he said.

Chennai Port, one of the busiest in the country, handles 1.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of container cargo and 52 million bulk cargo annually, said George.

Chennai has been facing the heaviest rainfall in a century, leading to massive disruption of life and property, driving people from their homes, forcing a shutdown of factories and of the city’s airport.

Top cargo operators have seen their businesses come to a standstill.

Gateway Distriparks the top container operator out of Chennai port, has had to shut down its container freight station even though it’s just 15 km away from the port. ’Business has come to a complete standstill. The roads are flooded and reservoirs are overflowing,’ said Govindarajan Kannan, president, marketing and operations at the company.

Auto majors such as the Indian units of Hyundai and Ford have been severely impacted.

’The management of Hyundai Motor India has announced their decision to suspend plant operations for all three shifts on 3rd and 4th December due to the persistent inclement weather. Operations will resume on 5th Dec 2015,’ said a company spokesperson.

Hyundai does all its exports—about 15,000 vehicles a month—through the Chennai port.

The floods would also impact Ford Motor which exports close to 6,000 vehicles a month from Chennai.

A company spokesperson at Royal Enfield said: ’Due to the rains, in November we lost production of 4,000 motorcycles. We are working to ensure that all our employees are safe. We are monitoring the situation closely and hoping for normalcy to return soon.’

Two-wheeler maker TVS Motor too will be impacted although its factories are yet unaffected, said an executive.

’As far as our operations go, our factories situated in Hosur (Tamil Nadu), Mysore (Karnataka) and Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh) are currently operational. As mentioned in our sales release, there was a slight impact on our production in the month of November due to inclement weather in Chennai. We are watching the situation closely,’ a company spokesman said.

]]>UKHMAFri, 04 Dec 2015 09:51:48 +0000Ferry Rescue on the Tynehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article592
The ferry had been making its final crossing of the night from North to South Shields when it suffered engine failure.

The cross-Tyne Shields ferry Spirit of the Tyne was rescued by Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat volunteers.

The Tynemouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat Spirit of Northumberland received a launch call from Humber Coastguard at about 11.30pm, while the Port of Tyne Pilot launch Collingwood evacuated three passengers from the ferry, leaving just the skipper, who was desperately trying to get the ferry’s engine restarted.

The drifting ferry was carried several hundred yards down river until it was caught on the river bank.

The RNLI lifeboat attached a tow rope to the ferry and pulled it away from the rocks. The vessel was dragged back to South Shields ferry landing and was almost secure before the tow rope parted after becoming snagged on the ferry landing, with the wind again blowing the powerless ferry away from safety.

Eventually, the lifeboat crew got the ferry under tow again and assisted by the crew of the Pilot launch, got it safely tied up on the landing.

Adrian Don, spokesman for Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat station, said: “Our crew was paged at 11.30 to what turned out to be a short but incredibly difficult and dramatic rescue in a howling gale.

“Michael Nugent, our Coxswain, and his volunteer crew used their extensive experience, training, determination, and every last reserve of the lifeboat’s powerful engines to rescue the ferry and bring it and its skipper to safety.

“This resulted in the ferry running aground on the South Shields side of the Tyne a few hundred metres down river from the South Shields landing.

“There were three passengers on board at the time along with three crew. Nobody was hurt.

“The crew immediately notified the harbour master and a pilot boat and the Tynemouth lifeboat were sent to the scene.

“The passengers and two of the crew were evacuated in an orderly manner on to the pilot boat.

“Ambulances were called as a precautionary measure.

“The ferry was then towed back to its landing by the lifeboat and was safely moored.

“The Shields Ferry has a very good safety record and our crew train for these type of these incidents all the time.

“Our thanks go to the Port of Tyne pilot boat crew and the lifeboat crew for coming to our aid.

“A full investigation into what happened is going to be carried out and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will be informed as a matter of procedure.”

The spokesman added that the problems had arisen because of engine failure and not the weather conditions, adding that the service had operated in stormy weather numerous times in the past.

]]>UKHMAMon, 07 Dec 2015 09:13:44 +0000Fancy a Punt on Harbour Master?http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article593
Injury sidelines German filly, but John Moore gets to saddle up a third runner in the Hong Kong Vase

Peter Schiergen is disappointed his filly Lovelyn has been pulled out of the Hong Kong Vase due to an injury. P

One defection, one addition and three late arrivals to the party - it was a dramatic morning yesterday as the build-up continued towards Sunday’s international races.

The Longines Hong Kong Vase had already been rocked by the scratchings of Erupt, Trip To Paris and Ito last week after lacklustre Japan Cup runs, and German galloper Lovelyn joined them on the casualty list after she was found to have a leg injury yesterday morning.

Further investigations confirmed that it would be unwise for her to continue to train ... therefore she has been withdrawnPeter Schiergen’s filly, a last start Group One winner in Italy who arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday, was examined by Jockey Club head of veterinary clinical services Dr Chris Riggs before she was pulled out of the race.

"Early this morning the filly was found to have suffered a soft tissue injury to her right forelimb," Riggs said in a Jockey Club statement.

"Further investigations confirmed that it would be unwise for her to continue to train at this time and, therefore, she has been withdrawn from the race."

Lovelyn’s replacement in the Hong Kong Vase is John Moore-trained Harbour Master, whose form has been terrible.

By mid-afternoon, she had been replaced by local galloper Harbour Master, a Group Three winner last season over 1,800m but entering the race in terrible form, having finished 14 lengths behind Gun Pit over a dirt mile at his last start.

John Moore is now set to saddle up three runners in the Vase, with Harbour Master joining 2013 winner Dominant and promising Helene Happy Star, while Tommy Berry is set to take the ride.

Meanwhile, the last of the 30 international arrivals touched down at Chek Lap Kok yesterday morning, but only after their original flight was pushed back and their journey delayed by almost 36 hours.

British gallopers Cannock Chase, Mondialiste and Toormore were the final trio to arrive at Sha Tin’s quarantine stables, having made it as far as the Heathrow tarmac on Friday night before their flight was halted.]]>UKHMATue, 08 Dec 2015 09:18:05 +0000Opportunity at Peterheadhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article594
The hunt for a new chief executive to oversee Europe’s busiest whitefish harbour is underway.

Peterhead Port Authority have begun advertising for a “key decision maker” to replace outgoing boss John Wallace who announced his retirement last month.

The successful applicant will take the helm as the port steams ahead with a £50million modernisation scheme to deepen the harbour and build a new auction hall.

As the authority casts its net in the search for the perfect candidate, a job advert posted online makes it clear that any successful applicant will need to reside within 20 miles of the port.

£50million project will reinvent Peterhead port, says outgoing chiefVisitor centre to be at the heart of £47million Peterhead harbour revamp

With the fishing industry accounting for 60% of the harbour’s turnover, the new chief executive will need a keen interest and understanding of the huge challenges facing the sector.

Last year alone £170million of business passed through the harbour, and independent research has revealed that in the wider industry, the port supports 9,500 jobs and brings in £800million to the Scottish economy.

But as the authority looks ahead to future industries, Mr Wallace’s successor must also ensure Peterhead is “competitive in the oil and gas industry including decommissioning and renewables”.

Outgoing port boss John Wallace has served on the board for nearly a decade but has chosen to retire and will stand down in June next year.

The 64-year-old hopes to have secured funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) by then to pay for the latest redevelopment.

The scheme would allow the already booming harbour to attract even bigger boats and handle up to 9,000 boxes of fish at the market every day.

Mr Wallace has said that if the new auction hall and harbour deepening does prove to be his last hurrah, it will “future-proof” Peterhead port for generations to come.

Speaking when he announced his retirement, Mr Wallace added: “There are challenges every day in this business which is what has kept me here for 30 years. You never know what will cross your desk the next day. I’ve no fears my successor will be kept busy.

“Hopefully the project is up and running, contractors are on site and work is underway so I can drift off with my grandsons and enjoy their youth while I’m still able to do so.”]]>UKHMATue, 08 Dec 2015 09:22:41 +0000CMAL Install CCTV System at 25 Portshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article595
Scottish Communications Group (SCG), the UK’s leading independent communication equipment specialist, has been awarded a £1.85 million contract by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) for the design and installation of a new CCTV solution at their Clyde and west coast network of 25 harbours, ports and slipways. These range from Largs on the mainland to Tarbert (Harris) in the Western Isles.

The new CCTV system has been designed to improve safety and security for customers, Harbour Operator personnel, contractors and other harbour users, as well as provide RoRo Ferry Masters with live images of local conditions at destination ports. It is expected the significant improvement in the availability and detail of live information accessed remotely by RoRo Ferry Masters will help inform their decision making process and help optimise lifeline ferry service provision across all routes that use CMAL harbours.

SCG has also been awarded full service and maintenance contracts for all sites for a five year term. This is the biggest contract won by the communications company since it was founded in 1979.

One of CMAL’s key requirements was for a quality, robust system that could operate within the extreme conditions of the West Coast of Scotland’s marine environment. SCG, through their wealth of experience providing solutions within port and coastal locations, specified an IP HD CCTV solution that fulfilled the detailed CMAL specification requirements.

25 individual systems will be installed by SCG that can be remotely accessed and controlled from CMAL headquarters in Port Glasgow. Additionally, authorised users can access the system from other remote locations or mobile devices. Installation of the system is due to start in January 2016 and is likely to be completed in early 2017.

Paul Gibson, Scottish Communications Group Managing Director said:

“We are delighted to have been awarded this very prestigious contract, one of the largest of its kind in Scotland and we look forward to working with CMAL to deliver the latest CCTV technology. Due to the size of the contract, we will be recruiting additional staff, based in the west of Scotland, as well as creating new apprenticeship opportunities. Our main supply partner, IndigoVision, world leaders in supplying complete IP video security solutions, are also a Scottish company based in Edinburgh.”

David McHardie, CMAL Harbour Master said:

“The delivery of this contract will improve the safety of our ports and harbours for all users and the work forms part of our overall programme to improve and upgrade harbours across the network. In particular, the CCTV system is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of lifeline ferry services by providing Ferry Masters with the ability to remotely access live images of their intended destinations to better inform their decision making process. SCG’s proposal demonstrated a high degree of quality in terms of technical capability, innovation and value for money. We look forward to working with SCG.”

SCG Background: Scottish Communications Group, were established in 1979, and cover Scotland and Northern England, from their head office in Perth and regional offices in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Glasgow. They employ 20 staff, and are market leaders in the cutting technology of IP CCTV and Access Control Systems, as well as Digital Communication Systems and Wireless Networking. SCG hold the prestigious Royal Warrant for the supply of Communications Systems to Her Majesty the Queen.

CMAL Background: CMAL owns or leases property at piers and harbours at more than 25 locations throughout Scotland and is embarking on a programme of investment and improvements, which will create better and more efficient facilities. In addition to its pier and harbour facilities, CMAL owns 32 ferries, which are leased to CalMac Ferries Ltd for use on lifeline ferry services on the Clyde and Hebrides. CMAL is a publicly owned company with Scottish Ministers as the sole shareholder. For more information about CMAL visit: www.cmassets.co.uk

]]>UKHMATue, 08 Dec 2015 20:00:31 +0000Grimsby Based Logistics Company Wins MOD Contracthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article596
A GRIMSBY-based logistics business has won a major Ministry of Defence contract.

GBA (Holdings) Ltd has formed a joint venture company with Scottish ferry and terminal operator David MacBrayne Ltd, to run one of the UK’s busiest military ports.

Marchwood Military Port, a 225 acre facility on Southampton Water, Hampshire, has been used for the movement of troops and equipment since 1943 and is also extensively used as a berth by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in support of the Royal Navy.

Solent Gateway Ltd, the joint venture, has been awarded a 35 year concession to manage military movements there and develop trades to maximise commercial activity potential.]]>UKHMAWed, 09 Dec 2015 09:27:17 +0000Cork Gains First IPSO Certificatehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article597
The ISPO is an accessible industry specific standard, managed by a group of users, that improves safety and quality and provides transparency to shipowners and stakeholders on pilotage standards.

Philippe Donche-Gay, Executive Vice-President and Head of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore division, said, “The Port of Cork has adopted this industry code as a means of building continuous improvement into its pilotage operations. Bureau Veritas is pleased to be able to audit the pilotage and support this initiative. It is part of our own continual drive to support and deliver services which help shipowners and the marine community operate more effectively.”

Paul O’Regan, Harbour Master, Port of Cork, said, “Port of Cork Pilots have always been at the forefront of the industry when adapting to change and in consistently achieving the highest levels of safety and operational standards. The accreditation by Bureau Veritas from ISPO recognises the fact that the Cork Pilots and Pilotage Authority have, for many years, had a systematic approach to achieving first class port operations. The Port Company and Cork Pilots have worked hard with BV over the last twelve months in order to meet the requirements of ISPO and I believe this standard will achieve global recognition. The pilots and ports that achieve ISPO will be best placed to meet the needs of our maritime customers.”

The ISPO certification for the Port of Cork covers twelve pilots which safely managed mixed marine traffic handling over 9 million tonnes of cargo and 56 cruise ship calls during 2015.]]>UKHMAFri, 11 Dec 2015 18:03:51 +0000Portsmouth - MoD Contract and Dredginghttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article599
During a visit to Portsmouth Naval Base, Mr Fallon saw some of the £100 million preparation work which is under way to rebuild the jetty and dredge the harbour to make way for the giant carriers which will arrive in early 2017.

He also announced the contract for 60 Pacific 24 rigid-hulled inflatable boats (Rhibs) to be built in Portsmouth by BAE Systems.

Mr Fallon said: "The news is that the carriers are coming, dredging is starting later this week, we have seen some of the ordnance being fished out of the channel already but Portsmouth is now getting ready to accommodate the carriers.

"This is a huge financial investment in making sure the channel is wide enough, in enlarging the jetty here so they can take the carriers and in making sure the carriers are properly guarded.

"I am also announcing a £13 million contract for 60 of these new rigid inflatable boats which will guard the carriers in the harbour and our new frigates and destroyers will be properly guarded."

He added: "We have said we will maintain a minimum fleet of 19 destroyers and frigates but as the older frigates are retired we also hope to add a lighter frigate between the offshore patrol vessel and Type 26 and to build more of those as well.

"We are going to see a bigger Royal Navy and the flagship of the Royal Navy will be here in Portsmouth."

Mr Fallon said that the Queen Elizabeth class carriers would have sufficient fighter jets when they go into service. He said: "Because through the defence review, defence spending is going to go up every April for the rest of this parliament and we are able to order more F35s and have more of them earlier, so there will be enough planes on the carrier when she is finally deployed."

Mr Fallon said that the new Rhibs would not only provide protection for the navy’s warships but also for the harbour area following concerns raised recently about the security of the South Coast.

He said: "The new boats will enhance security right across the harbour and they have been welcomed by the harbour master here because they will not only protect the carriers and our other warships but add to the security of the whole area."

Commodore Jeremy Rigby, Portsmouth Naval Base commander, gave Mr Fallon a tour of Portsmouth Harbour showing the work to rebuild the jetty for the carriers and the dredging work to deepen the approach to the base.

He said: "We are working hard to ensure the base is ready to receive the carriers by the end of next year. "These are exciting times for the naval base and the wider Portsmouth area as we prepare for these ships which will secure the future of the base for at least the next 50 years."

The Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier will be taller than Nelson’s column and one and a half times the height of Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower and they will displace 65,000 tonnes of water.

To accommodate their size, three million cubic metres of clay, sand and gravel will be removed in work starting this week from a two-mile stretch of Portsmouth Harbour covering an area the size of 200 football pitches.]]>UKHMATue, 15 Dec 2015 19:06:09 +0000http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article598
10 Dec 2015A Port of Cork pilot disembarksA Port of Cork pilot disembarks

Classification society Bureau Veritas has issued its first certificate under the ISPO (International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organizations) standard of best practice for pilots and pilot organizations to the Pilotage Authority, Port of Cork, Ireland. The ISPO certification covers the Pilotage services and Vessel Traffic Management System.

The ISPO is an accessible industry specific standard, managed by a group of users, that improves safety and quality and provides transparency to shipowners and stakeholders on pilotage standards.

Philippe Donche-Gay, Executive Vice-President and Head of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore division, said, “The Port of Cork has adopted this industry code as a means of building continuous improvement into its pilotage operations. Bureau Veritas is pleased to be able to audit the pilotage and support this initiative. It is part of our own continual drive to support and deliver services which help shipowners and the marine community operate more effectively.”

Paul O’Regan, Harbour Master, Port of Cork, said, “Port of Cork Pilots have always been at the forefront of the industry when adapting to change and in consistently achieving the highest levels of safety and operational standards. The accreditation by Bureau Veritas from ISPO recognises the fact that the Cork Pilots and Pilotage Authority have, for many years, had a systematic approach to achieving first class port operations. The Port Company and Cork Pilots have worked hard with BV over the last twelve months in order to meet the requirements of ISPO and I believe this standard will achieve global recognition. The pilots and ports that achieve ISPO will be best placed to meet the needs of our maritime customers.”

The ISPO certification for the Port of Cork covers twelve pilots which safely managed mixed marine traffic handling over 9 million tonnes of cargo and 56 cruise ship calls during 2015.

By Jake Frith

- See more at: http://www.maritimejournal.com/news101/industry-news/first-ipso-certificate-for-cork#sthash.yXimttOO.dpuf]]>UKHMAFri, 11 Dec 2015 18:03:51 +0000Opportunity at Langstone Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article600
Portsmouth City Council and Havant Borough Council have issued a joint call of action to companies in a bid to re-launch the service by early 2016.

Operators would need to provide a regular service and a vessel or vessels must be certificated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for use as a ferry.

The current Langstone Harbour Board operator’s licence fee is £19,000 a year. Those keen to run the ferry should contact Langstone Harbour Master by January 31.]]>UKHMAThu, 17 Dec 2015 16:55:40 +0000Danish Ports - Public Falling into Waterhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article601
Aarhus to improve street lightning at harbour after two people fall into the seaTen people on average drown in Danish harbours every year

The Aarhus harbour is poorly lit, admits the municipality, and pedestrians can easily fall into the water after dark. The Aarhus harbour is poorly lit, admits the municipality, and pedestrians can easily fall into the water after dark

Two people fell into the sea at Aarhus harbour last weekend and the municipality has accordingly decided to improve street lightning in the area to prevent future accidents.

Last year a man drowned in the harbour after a Christmas party, and accidents like this are not uncommon in other Danish towns either.

The same goes for AalborgIn Aalborg, seven people have drowned in the local harbour since 2008.

The municipality has therefore invested into increased security, such as street lamps, reflexive lights and more ladders into the water.

Every year, an average of ten people die after falling into the sea in Danish harbours.

]]>UKHMAThu, 17 Dec 2015 17:55:16 +0000Lydney Harbour Wins £50k Granthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article602
It’s a gem in the Forest of Dean crown and now it’s set to glitter a bit more with the news that the Government has awarded Lydney Docks and Harbour a maximum grant of £50,000 to support access.

Forest of Dean District Council submitted a grant application on behalf of the recently formed Lydney Coastal Community Team in September this year. The team is among 77 award winners nationally.

The £3m Revival Fund has been made available by the government to kick-start the rejuvenation of at-risk heritage sites that have the potential to create opportunities for new businesses and jobs.

Lydney Docks and Harbour was eligible for a bid as an historic Scheduled Ancient Monument, a Grade 2 Listed Building and for being included within Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.]]>UKHMAFri, 18 Dec 2015 09:13:55 +0000£100 million to be Spent on Portsmouth in Readiness for new Carriershttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article603
The complex and expensive operation is needed to deepen the harbour by 5ft so that the giant aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales will be able to berth there.Over the next seven months, about three million cubic metres of clay, sand and gravel will be excavated from the approach channel, the harbour itself and the berth – covering an area roughly equivalent to 200 football pitches.More than £100 million is being spent on upgrading Portsmouth naval base because the harbour is too shallow to accommodate the two biggest warships ever built for the Royal Navy.

Major work will also be carried out on reinforcing the jetty with 3,300 tons of steel, installing bespoke navigational lights and enlarging gangways.A barge-mounted crane, called Strekker, is already undertaking the preparatory task of removing underwater debris. Its haul so far has included concrete blocks, discarded cables, chains and several rusting anchors, some of which are thought to be at least a century old.

The dredging ships Freeway and Crestway, each with two 3ft-diameter pumps, will suck sediment from the sea floor. Project manager Paul Simmonds said: ‘The pumps work like vacuum cleaners. They suck the sand into hoppers and then disgorge it at a Government-approved offshore disposal site near the Isle of Wight.’The dredgers, each with a crew of about 15, are operated by Dutch company Boskalis Westminster, which in June won a £31million contract from the Ministry of Defence to deepen Portsmouth harbour.

The complex and expensive operation is needed to deepen the harbour by 5ft so that the giant aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales will be able to berth thereThe complex and expensive operation is needed to deepen the harbour by 5ft so that the giant aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales will be able to berth thereThe massive vessel will be as long as twenty eight London buses which is three times bigger than Britain’s previous biggest aircraft carriers

Military experts say the two new aircraft carriers, built in sections around the country and assembled at Rosyth on the Firth of Forth, will form the centrepiece of Britain’s naval capability.The vessels are 920ft long – equivalent to 28 London buses parked end to end – and are three times bigger than previous carriers.Taller than Nelson’s Column and displacing 65,000 tons, the carriers will provide the Armed Forces with a massive operating base that can be deployed worldwide. Prime Minister David Cameron has called them ‘an investment in British security, British prosperity and our place in the world’.HMS Queen Elizabeth is due to arrive in early 2017, while her sister ship HMS Prince of Wales is expected to be commissioned in 2020.However, design and construction delays have sent the bill for the warships rocketing from a 2007 estimate of £3.6 billion to today’s figure of £6.2 billion.]]>UKHMASun, 20 Dec 2015 10:30:26 +0000New Super Trawler for Fraserburgh Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article604
The new trawler is designed and powered by WärtsiläAs the expansion of Fraserburgh’s fishing harbour continues apace, a father-and-son north-east company has signed a contract for a new super trawler.

Mewstead LLP – which is run by father and sons George and Michael Tait of Fraserburgh and Alex and Zander West from Gardenstown – have just announced a deal to buy a 290ft pelagic fishing vessel.

The trawler, which will be built at the Nauta Shipyard in Poland, will have space for 16 crew members and 113,000 cubic feet capacity for mackerel and herring.

Partner and skipper Michael Tait said: “This will be an extremely modern fishing vessel, so it is important the design and the equipment driving the vessel also feature the very latest and best technologies.”

The ship will be delivered in 2017.

Earlier this year, work on a multimillion-pound upgrade of the north-east harbour was completed – marking a new dawn for the port.

Community and business leaders hailed the “massive revamp” – which enables larger vessels and new industries to use the harbour.

The project, which was announced more than three years ago, cost around £12million and is the biggest overhaul of the port for more than half a century.

Announcing the completion of the work, Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners convener, Peter Bruce, described it as “great news” for the whole town.

Harbour bosses were keen to diversify into the potentially lucrative renewables market, and, by deepening the north basin by 5ft, they have opened the port up to larger turbine maintenance vessels.

In a year of developments for Fraserburgh harbour, the completion of the deepening works came as port officials struck a £1million deal with Pegasus Power and Communications to refit the power supply to the quayside.

The new electricity line for businesses and vessels in the port will end the reliance on diesel generators to supplement quayside power.]]>UKHMAMon, 21 Dec 2015 13:34:16 +0000Chichester - A Result !http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article605
A man has been prosecuted for speeding in Chichester Harbour.Andrew Bristow, from London, was recorded travelling at over 20 knots in a motor vessel.

He was fined £295 and ordered to pay a court charge of £150, victim surcharge of £29.50 and costs of £300.

Harbour Master Richard Craven said: “We are responsible for maintaining safety in the harbour, and flagrant breaches of the byelaws will be prosecuted.”

This follows a number of other speeding prosecutions and cautions in 2015 and several cautions for causing excessive wash.

The speed limit of 8 knots in force within the harbour is to ensure the safety of mariners.

Mr Craven added: “I hope that the firm stance taken by the court deters similar behaviour in the future.”

]]>UKHMAMon, 21 Dec 2015 13:44:50 +0000False Alarm !!http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article606
Clouds of smoke spotted in the Marlborough Sounds have turned out to be sea fog.

Fire crews from Picton and Koromiko and two helicopters were called out this afternoon after a man spotted what looked like puffs of smoke coming over the hill near Port Underwood.

Picton chief fire officer Wayne Wytenburg said it was a "good call" but fortunately it was a false alarm. The man had seen the mist from Maraetai Bay. Wytenberg was working near the area at the time.

"It did look like little puffs of smoke," he said. ]]>UKHMAMon, 21 Dec 2015 14:02:25 +0000New Harbour Master for Port of Tynehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article607
A Master Mariner with a career of over ten years in the Merchant Navy, Alan joined the Port of Tyne in April 2001 as Marine Officer Pilot and successfully completed a series of training assessments to become the Port’s first Unlimited Class Pilot. He was appointed Port of Tyne Deputy Harbour Master in 2004.

Alan said: “Having lived in the area for over 25 years, I fully understand the importance of the River Tyne to the region and the wider community. I have been fortunate to serve as a Pilot on this great river, and now have the honour of being the Harbour Master too.”

“I am looking forward to working with all of our stakeholders and other river users as the Port continues to invest in infrastructure and capability that will support and deliver a vibrant future for the river.”

Andrew Moffat, Port of Tyne Chief Executive Officer, said: “Alan brings a huge amount of experience and professionalism to the role and I look forward to working with him as we seek to grow Port capacity and expand our operational berths.”

Alan is a Director and Trustee of the Tyne Lifeboat Society, an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute and a member in training at Trinity House Newcastle.

With over 25 years of experience in the marine industry during his time at the Port of Tyne Alan has been involved with many marine projects such as the Tall Ships visit 2005, and the pilotage of some of the most complex shipping movements on the Tyne including the QE2, Ark Royal and the Holland America Line cruise ship Eurodam.]]>UKHMATue, 22 Dec 2015 07:41:31 +0000ABP’s Apprentices Progresshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article608
ABP, together with the South Shields Marine School, created the Higher National Diploma (HND) level diploma as a key part of the country’s first Marine Operations Apprenticeship Scheme.

The diploma, accredited and approved by the Scottish Qualifying Authority has been an overriding success with 13 ABP marine apprentices joining the course since 2012.

The apprenticeship scheme was developed in order to maintain the highest professional marine standards within ABP’s port and harbours marine operations. It is intended to ensure that non-sea going students will have sufficient marine knowledge for key roles in the operational Marine teams controlling shipping movements within the country’s busiest ports.

Not only did the team graduate with flying colours, Keeta Rowlands who was amongst one of ABP’s first marine apprentices, received a special award for gaining the highest marks in the diploma.

The group now have the knowledge to progress, with steady and continuous professional development, to become ABP’s future Dock and Harbour Masters.

Martin continued: “As a group they have always applied themselves diligently, both individually and as a team, to both academic studies and the practical tasks that make up the apprenticeship content. They are a pleasure to work with and as the leading group have helped in refining some aspects of the apprenticeship scheme which has benefited the two groups following behind them.”]]>UKHMATue, 22 Dec 2015 08:18:02 +0000Some Timely Advice !http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article609
Do you have to pass it left? Should you go for tawny or ruby? Victoria Stewart gets a beginner’s guide to port from Max Graham of Churchill’s Port

Max Graham, whose father Johnny set up Churchill’s Port in 1981, grew up drinking the stuff and remembers playing games of ‘guess the vintage’ when he was younger. In 2013-14 Graham opened Churchill’s Port House, an eight-month pop-up port bar in Soho, in which he wanted to educate his customers about the variety of styles port has to offer. Next February port will feature at another of his pop-ups, a prelude to his Portuguese restuarant Bar Douro which Graham plans to open in spring 2016. Since Christmas is the time of year when everyone settles into a glass after lunch, I asked him to tell me more about his favourite drink.

What exactly is port and how is it made?

Port, produced exclusively in the Douro valley in Portugal, is a fortified wine, which means that brandy is added during production to stop the fermentation process early, retaining some of the natural sugar. This gives port its sweetness. Port is one of the classic wines of the world and Vintage Port, its greatest expression, is ranked alongside the finest Burgundies and Bordeaux.

I understand there are three main categories of port: white, tawny and ruby. How do they differ?

Within these categories you’ll find many different styles. White and Tawny Ports are both aged in seasoned oak barrels, while Ruby Ports are matured in the bottle. White Port may be aged for up to 10 years and Tawnies may vary from 10, 20, 30 to 40 years in age; descriptions for these are always clearly marked on the label. Apart from entry-level young Ruby Ports, you then have premium Rubies such as Reserve and Finest Reserve and above these you have LBV (Late Bottled Vintage), Crusted, Single Quinta Vintages and ultimately a house Vintage Port.

What should I look for in a quality port and how should I taste it?

The ideal size of glass for drinking port is a small white wine glass allowing people to sniff and swirl. Traditions say port should always be passed from right to left and people should not hold on to the decanter for too long, or they may be accused of knowing the Bishop of Norwich! All quality ports should have purity of fruit running through and a good structure. Reserve Ports are typically younger and fresher with bright fruit. The LBV is closer in style to a Vintage - subtler, with mellow, rounder notes. It leans toward the complexity that you find in a Vintage Port and has a longer finish. There are many port houses, such as Churchills, Taylors and Dows and typically each house has its own style. A Vintage Port, usually declared three times a decade, is the embodiment of a house style. The last declared vintage was in 2011, celebrated as one of the great vintage years. In my opinion a great Vintage Port should have elegance and freshness but also structure and complexity.

Why is it so popular to have port with Stilton at Christmas?

Port and cheese has always been a winning combination, in particular with stronger cheeses such as stilton, which really show off those top quality ruby ports such as LBV.

How else should we enjoy port?

A Vintage Port speaks for itself and doesn’t need any showing off; it should really be enjoyed by itself after dinner. I think White Port is best served chilled as an aperitif but it can also be used in cocktails and it pairs very well with roasted almonds. Tawny Ports similarly taste great when served chilled and pair well with softer cheeses like brie or camembert.

How easy is it to buy quality port in London?

Most styles can be found in high street retailers such as Oddbins. Online, vintagewinesandports.co.uk, Tanners and Christopher Piper Wines have a decent selection and for the older vintages it is best to buy from specialist wine merchants.

I don’t know much about port; is there a good one you recommend I start with?

A Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) is a great starting point for someone learning about port. It offers near vintage quality at premium Ruby prices, which are usually around £20 a bottle. LBV is matured in large oak vats for a duration of four years where it softens, and sheds its harsh tannins, but does not looe its full-bodied, rich fruit flavours. It is then bottled and laid down to finish its maturation.

After that, are there other more special ports you’d recommend I try?

You can’t beat a good Vintage Port. 2011 was a terrific year for it but those should really be laid down for at least another 15 years before drinking them. I had the opportunity of trying a Croft 1945, which was superb. Within the fine wine market you would struggle to find better value in terms of price or quality than Vintage Port.

How should I store port and at what temperature?

It is important to store port in a cool environment; not exceeding 15ºC. Storing it at temperatures above this level may be detrimental, resulting in the port ageing too quickly. It is also important to store port away from direct sunlight. As with all fine wine, to keep vintage port in optimum condition it should be stored lying down so that the cork doesn’t dry out.]]>UKHMATue, 22 Dec 2015 13:12:24 +0000Cigarette Seizures at Harwich by Border Forcehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article610
One million cigarettes were seized at the Port of Harwich last week – bringing the total number of illegal cigarettes stopped at the port in the past two months to 12.3 million.

Boxes containing some of one million cigarettes seized at Port of Harwich on December 15. Border Force officers found the latest haul inside a lorry trailer coming from the Hook of Holland listed as holding machinery.

An x-ray of the truck detected an anomaly with the load, and a further search revealed the machinery was nothing more than a series of metal boxes containing the tobacco.

If the smuggling attempt had been successful it would have cost the Treasury an estimated £200,000 in unpaid tobacco duty.

The seizure, at around 7am on December 15, is the latest in a series of high value smuggling attempts through the port.

These include:

November 5 – one million cigarettes in a load of dishwashers

November 17 – 6.3m cigarettes in a load of washing machines

November 25 – three million cigarettes in a load of tortilla chips

November 30 – one million cigarettes in a load of potatoes

Charlotte Mann, Border Force assistant director at Harwich, said: “This was an excellent detection that has starved those responsible of the proceeds of their criminality.

“The use of technology, officer expertise and intelligence has also seen Border Force officers at Harwich detect millions of smuggled cigarettes since the start of November.

“These results are a testament to the hard work of Border Force and send a strong deterrent message to those criminals who would seek to profit from smuggling.

“I would urge anyone tempted by cheap cigarettes and tobacco to think again. The black market cheats honest traders and it is effectively stealing from the public purse.”

The vehicle carrying the cigarettes was also seized.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling can call the Border Force hotline on 0800 59 5000.]]>UKHMASat, 26 Dec 2015 11:06:53 +0000Granton Harbour Development gets Go Aheadhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article611

A HUGE planned transformation of Granton Harbour said to be worth £300 million to the economy has been given the go-ahead.

A spokesman for the developers, Granton Central Developments Limited, said: “We are thrilled that consent has now been granted for the revised masterplan, due in part to the fantastic support of the local community who we would like to thank for their ongoing support.

This is a wonderful Christmas present for the people of Granton, who have been forced to live for far too long with Granton Harbour in its current state. We’re very excited to start working towards bringing Granton Harbour to life.”

]]>UKHMASat, 26 Dec 2015 11:13:44 +0000Weymouth - Christmas Day Harbour Swimhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article612
MORE than 300 brave souls plunged into Weymouth Harbour this morning to raise funds for hundreds of good causes.

The annual event is organised by the Weymouth and Portland Lions Club and last year around 200 swimmers raised more than £11,000 for a whole host of local and national charities.

Lions president Richard Burgess said: “We think it’s an essential part of the Christmas day festivities between opening presents and eating turkey. And if you swim across the harbour you deserve some turkey – and a stiff drink, of course.

"It’s a challenge for people and there’s a lovely community atmosphere.”

The Christmas Day swim in Weymouth was first started just after the Second World War by two local publicans. It was later taken over by Weymouth Swimming Club then the Lions.

Each year the event has become more and more popular with people wanting to work up an appetite for this Christmas lunch, have fun and raise money for charity.

A total of 336 swimmers took part this year and as usual there was a whole host of characters diving into the cold Weymouth waters, from people in fancy dress to the very brave souls in bikinis and trunks, while the serious swimmers had their wetsuits on

Eight-year-old Charlotte O’Dowd from Portland, who appeared in Thursday’s Echo, has raised more than £800 for Julia’s House.

Charlotte was one of the youngest swimmers this year.

The atmosphere on the harbourside was buzzing as crowds gathered outside the Old Rooms Inn in Hope Square and outside the Harbour Master’s Office from around 9.30am.

There were swims for juniors, a family fun event and an open competitive race and organisers believe that this year fundraisers may have reached around £15,000.

Three generations from one family were participating in the swim - Jaimee, Simon and Stuart Browne were eager to dive into the icy waters and get it over and done with.

There was also a special appearance from Batman and Robin and the 118 team.

ARRIVING at Weymouth Harbourside on Christmas morning the first thought that came to into my head was am I going to regret this? And to put it bluntly, no I didn’t.

The Christmas Day Harbour Swim is a fantastic idea and I’m so proud to have been part of it this year and to raise vital funds for a charity close to my heart.

I also had the pleasure of an interview with Lions member Dave Woodford before braving the plunge.

Rather than just reporting on the event I saw a great opportunity to get involved and try something new and adventurous.

I decided to raise money for the Gill Harler Gynae Fund, an initiative which encourages women to be more aware of their bodies and the symptoms of ovarian cancer, after meeting Gill in November.

It was quite nerve-wracking I have to admit.

I decided that the best angle to take was to jump straight into the icy waters and icy it was.

But what made it all worth it was coming up onto the harbourside and seeing Gill cheering me on and welcoming me back onto dry land and into her arms. ]]>UKHMASat, 26 Dec 2015 11:34:55 +0000Milford Haven Staff Support Charityhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article613
Photo - Port staff out for a walk with some of the pets at Greenacres.

RESCUED animals can live in comfort while they wait to find new ’forever homes’, thanks to the Port of Milford Haven.

Staff at the Port have completed twelve months of fundraising and volunteering for Greenacres animal rescue centre after selecting it as their official charity for 2015.

As well as receiving a cash boost from the Port, the centre - near Talbenny - benefited from staff putting forward their own ideas for fundraising activities and events.

These included a sponsored bungee jump, pancake sale and an auction for rugby tickets, and generated an extra £1,500 for the rescue centre.

As well as advice and training help, the centre was able to build a new rabbit enclosure which is helping educate young people about responsible pet ownership.

Volunteers can show children that small hutches are not an appropriate long-term home for the animals as this can lead to weight gain, health and behaviour problems.

The Port’s donation also allowed Greenacres to upgrade its electrical system, so it now has reliable lighting, heating and hot water.

Mikey Lawlor, rescue centre manager, said: “Having the support of the Port of Milford Haven has been very beneficial to Greenacres for the last year, we have seen large and small projects completed and they have helped to raise funds that have changed animals lives for the better.

’The rabbit enclosure has been a huge success and the upgrade in electrics has been a massive help making day to day jobs much easier. We would like to thank the Port for their support both financially and in person and hope that we will get the opportunity to work closely with them again in the future.”

Anna Malloy, communications manager at the Port, said: “Supporting Greenacres Animal Rescue Centre over the last twelve months has been very rewarding.

’Our staff have visited the centre to volunteer, held fundraising events and donated a range of items to the charity shops and for the animals directly.

’The team at Greenacres are making a real difference in Pembrokeshire and we wish them every success for the future.”

Greenacres Animal Rescue Centre was founded in 2008 and relies entirely on supporter fundraising and public donations. ]]>UKHMAMon, 28 Dec 2015 18:57:16 +0000Container Ships - Just Getting Bigger !http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article614
The CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, the largest container ship to ever call at a North America port, docked at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, Calif.

A huge new cargo ship arrived at the Port of Los Angeles this weekend.

The CMA-CGM Benjamin Franklin is the largest container ship ever to call at a North American port.

Recently delivered to the French shipping line CMA-CGM, the ship is 1,300 feet long, 177 feet wide and has the capacity of nearly 18,000 containers.

A port statement says that’s about a third larger than the biggest container ships that currently call at the twin ports of Los Angeles and adjacent Long Beach.

Port of LA Executive Director Gene Seroka says the mega ship’s arrival signals a new chapter in Pacific Rim trade flow.]]>UKHMATue, 29 Dec 2015 09:30:41 +0000Hull - Green Port on Track for Siemenshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article615
ABP and its main contractor the Graham Lagan Construction Group joint venture are undertaking the £150m enabling work for Siemens’ offshore wind turbine manufacturing facility.The dock infill has now been completed at the 54-acre site, with 1 million cubic metres of sand pumped into the dock to fill one third of the water area.ABP said excess sand was stored during this process to be used for the 7.5 hectare reclaim, which will become the new quayside and component storage areas.The sand is now being pumped into position around the existing timber sheds and jetties, which will be demolished in the coming weeks.Marine piling for the new quay wall is almost complete and piling for the anchor wall and roll on-roll off ramp is continuing.The JV has now taken control of the east side of the site to begin preparatory works for the 25,000 square metre service building.Five substations, which will supply 6MVA to the site, are also being built to supply the new facility with electricity.ABP Director Humber Simon Bird said: “It’s fantastic to see the site beginning to take shape and it’s testament to the hard work of the ABP project team, the main contractor and all of those organisations and individuals involved in the enabling works that the project is on schedule and Siemens’ facility will be operational by the end of 2016.”]]>UKHMASun, 03 Jan 2016 17:49:12 +0000Freight Train Route from Birmingham to Liverpool adds Huge Potential to Porthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article616
The first GB Railfreight intermodal train from Maritime Transports Birmingham Intermodal Freight Terminal, Birch Coppice, to the Port of Liverpool in December 2015

GB RAILFREIGHT has run the first intermodal train between Birmingham and the Port of Liverpool and port bosses say rail offers “huge potential” for moving freight.

Locomotive 66729 was used to haul eight IFA ‘Q80’ flat wagons from Maritime Transport’s Birmingham Intermodal Freight Terminal (BIFT) at Birch Coppice to the Seaforth Container Terminal, and back again, just before Christmas.

It was hailed as an “important moment” for Port of Liverpool owner, Peel Ports, GB Railfreight and Maritime Transport, as it demonstrates the potential of running regular container services between Birmingham and Liverpool, providing an alternative to moving containers by road.

The opening of the £300m Liverpool2 container terminal, capable of handling 95% of the world’s biggest ships, is expected to lead to a surge in the volume of freight coming into the Mersey.

There has been concern about the capacity of the existing road network and so moving as much freight as possible by rail eases that burden.

Gary Hodgson, chief operating officer at Peel Ports, said: “The ongoing investments and growth at the port both in quayside and landside infrastructure and in turn onward connectivity further cements Peel Ports’ commitment to our partners and customers in delivering a new multi-modal solution to the UK.”

Earlier this year, Mr Hodgson said Liverpool2 could “revolutionise” the logistics sector in the UK.

A significant chunk of the freight that currently comes in through the southern English ports as destined to be transported to the north of the UK, could instead come in through Liverpool.

John Smith, managing director of GB Railfreight, added: “The running of our special Christmas train demonstrates that there are huge intermodal rail freight opportunities that could arise from the Liverpool2 logistics project, and we will be working with our partners to build awareness amongst existing and new customers.

“The container market is an important source of growth for the industry, and it’s vital that we provide the terminal and network infrastructure that allows us to meet present and future consumer demand.”

And John Williams, group managing director of Maritime Transport, also said: “We look forward to handling a regular service between the Port of Liverpool and BIFT.”]]>UKHMASun, 03 Jan 2016 18:02:40 +0000Honour for Teignmouth Harbour Chairmanhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article617
Jeremy Grammer, 75, the chairman of commissioners for the Teignmouth Harbour Commission, was awarded an MBE by the Queen for his voluntary service to Teignmouth Harbour users.

Mr Grammer, who has been the chairman for the last 11 years, said that he was phenomenally grateful to all the staff who have helped at Teignmouth Harbour over the years.

He said: "I am completely overcome and overwhelmed by it. It is a superb to be recognised. I am grateful to accept this for the 14 years of work on the commission for the dedicated work undertaken by the commission as a whole.

"The commission brings a real benefit to the community and all those who work on the River Teign. I am phenomenally grateful for all the staff who work together. Without them, this would not have been possible.

"I am very grateful for this, and delighted to accept it."

Mr Grammer, who lives in Lustleigh, Newton Abbot, decided to give something back to the community and business area that has meant so much to him after his retirement, so he became a Teignmouth Harbour Commissioner.

His is a voluntary position and he is entrusted with ensuring the survival of the Port and Harbour of Teignmouth for the enjoyment and benefit of all its users. He spent two years as a Commissioner before being elected by his fellow Commissioners as their Chairman in 2004.

He has worked ceaselessly to steer the Commission through some difficult times providing leadership, understanding and foresight and he has ensured the survival of the Commission through the recent economic downturn with determination and vigour and has been a great ambassador for Teignmouth and the River Teign.

His unselfish devotion to the Commission and its business has been an exceptional example to all his Commissioners of dedicated voluntary service of the highest order.

Teignmouth’s success as a port and a popular leisure location is a direct result of his understanding of the needs of others and desire to help them fulfil those needs.]]>UKHMASun, 03 Jan 2016 18:37:46 +0000Honour for Port of Tyne Bosshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article618
A major figure in North East business life has been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

Andrew Moffat, Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Tyne Authority , was given the honour for services to the North East economy and to ports.

It caps a highly successful year for the energetic Mr Moffat who has steered the port to success after success.

He is a former winner of the Journal’s prestigious North East Business Executive of the Year.

The businessman said the CBE was recognition for the people he has worked with.

He said: “I was very surprised and absolutely overwhelmed to receive the letter offering me this honour.

“It is a huge privilege and I believe it is recognition not for me but for the exceptional teams of people I have worked with over the years, all of whom have been open to ideas and willing to go the extra mile to achieve the best we could for the North East and the national economy. I am indebted to all of them.”

Mr Moffat was a late-comer to the ports sector having made a success of previous careers in water and electronics.

He said: “During my career I have been fortunate in having the opportunities to gain experience in a number of sectors, both nationally and internationally and consider myself very lucky in being able to return to the region several years ago and become Chief Executive of the Port of Tyne.

“I am passionate about the ports industry. How much they contribute to business and trade is often underestimated.

“We all have some challenges ahead and I will be continuing to make sure our ports remain top of the agenda in supporting this region’s manufacturers and businesses and helping ensure the North East benefits from the opportunities ahead.”

Andrew Moffat was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Tyne in November 2008.

He was an economics graduate from Newcastle University who started his career as a trainee accountant with Northumbrian Water.

Andrew went on to join the rapidly growing mobile telecomunication sector in 1989 where he gained, over a 17 year period, experience within a number of international companies in financial, commercial and strategic roles.

He joined the Port of Tyne from 3 UK, a telecommunications subsidiary of Hong Kong based multi-national conglomerate Hutchinson Whampoa, where he was Chief Financial Officer

Prior to this he worked for the sister company 3 Italian based in Milan and with Orange for 10 years, including a time as UK Director of Strategy and Group Financial Controller.

He is Chairman of the British Ports Association giving him a national, as well as local, responsibility for ports.

He is also a director of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, sits on the Regional Council of the CBI and is a member of a number of local partnership boards focusing on delivery of economic regeneration for the North East.

One of his first jobs as a 15-year-old schoolboy earning pocket money on a Saturday was to carry baggage for passengers at the Port of Tyne - an organisation he now heads.]]>UKHMAMon, 04 Jan 2016 16:26:42 +0000Sonar Image of SS Richard Montgomery Wreckhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article619
SS Richard Montgomery, which was loaded with ammunition, sank in 1944It still sits off the coast of Kent and carries 1,400 tons of explosive contentNew image is the most high resolution scan available, giving new insight

Loaded with enough explosives to level a town, this is the Second World War ticking timebomb ship that lies on the seabed just off the coast of Kent.The incredible image, using the latest in multi-beam sonar technology, captures in detail for the first time the SS Richard Montgomery, which sank in 1944 after a fatal crack tore the vessel in two.The American Liberty ship had been bringing munitions from the US to the UK and was packed with dozens of high-explosive ‘blockbuster bombs’ when it ran aground just over a mile off the coast in the Thames Estuary.

Its explosive content was a massive 1,400 tons, including about 2,000 cases of cluster bombs and hundreds of standard bombs weighing up to 1,000 lb each.In 2004, New Scientist magazine reported that if the ship exploded, it would create one of the biggest non-nuclear blasts ever seen and would devastate the port of Sheerness, causing up to £1 billion dama

One historian said the blast could cause a tidal wave, flooding parts of the Isle of Sheppey, the Isle of Grain and perhaps even Canvey Island and Southend-on-Sea.The Maritime and Coastline Agency, which released the sonar image, now spends up to £40,000 a year monitoring the ship around the clock.

The vessel is protected by a 1,640ft exclusion zone.Successive governments have wrestled with the problem of what to do with the wreck, and its existence was even factored into the decision on whether to build a Thames Estuary airport.The amazing 3D image of the vessel is the most high-resolution ever seen and even gives a glimpse inside the hold, where the bombs would have been kept.The MCA said: ‘With advances in technology, data quality has improved and, as a result, we see greater definition and detail, which allows us to get a better picture of the wreck and its current state.’

Boulders placed at the pier of Cove Bay as part of a long-running legal dispute.

Fishermen facing eviction from a historic harbour hope to raise £40,000 to fund a legal battle against their landlord.

Pralhad Kohle has repeatedly ordered the fishermen to remove their boats from Cove Bay Harbour in Aberdeen, where villagers have fished since the 1790s.

The fishermen have refused to move despite a series of legal threats and now plan to take their case to court.

A spokesman for Save the Fishing Boats of Cove Harbour said: "We have already spent a lot of our own money so far and it’s got to the point where we can’t afford any more."

The fishermen have launched a crowdfunding campaign which has been backed by more than 70 people since December 30.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over the safety of boats at the harbour, which was blocked off with boulders last month.

Jim Adam, chairman of the Cove Bay Fisherman’s Association, said: "My main concern at the moment is the safety of the boats at the harbour.

"The weather is so bad at the moment it’s like being under siege by the weather down there and it would be very difficult to remove boats from the shore with the boulders there."

The fishermen were first ordered to remove their boats in May 2014, when lawyers representing Mr Kohle gave them two weeks to leave. Fences and signs were put up, but no action was taken when the fishermen refused to move.

They were presented with a similar ultimatum in September.

Mr Kohle’s lawyers said the plastic surgeon wants to "improve the harbour for amenity use".]]>UKHMAWed, 06 Jan 2016 09:48:13 +0000Bob Baker appointed as new PLA Chief Harbour Masterhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article621
Bob Baker will join the PLA from Forth Ports, where he has been Chief Harbour Master since 2001.

He will succeed David Phillips, who is retiring from the PLA in April, after nine years’ service.

Bob Baker’s seagoing career lasted from 1975 to 1991, before he came ashore to work at the Port of Tilbury, latterly as general manager, conventional operations and Harbour Master.

He has been Chief Harbour Master at Forth Ports and a director of Forth Estuary Towage since 2001. He holds an MBA from Henley Management College.

PLA chief executive, Robin Mortimer, said: "David Phillips will retire after a unique period at the PLA and leaves with our very best wishes.

"He is the only Chief Harbour Master to call the start of a 1,000 vessel flotilla down the Thames, overseeing the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee River Pageant in 2012. At the same time, his tenure also saw the arrival of ultra large container ships on the river too.

“I’m delighted that we have recruited Bob to take over from David. Our Chief Harbour Master oversees a team looking after the most diverse and high profile waterway in the UK. It will draw on Bob’s Port Marine Safety Code and other experience as we make sure that the Thames is a safe and commercially attractive river.”

Bob Baker will join the PLA on 1 May; he will also have a seat on the PLA Board.]]>UKHMAWed, 06 Jan 2016 11:24:26 +0000Time-Tagged Lidar for Vessel-Based Surveyshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article622
Renishaw’s new Merlin laser scanner for measuring and recording time-tagged geo-referencedRenishaw’s new Merlin laser scanner for measuring and recording time-tagged geo-referenced data points above waterlinesRenishaw, the Gloucestershire, UK-based multinational engineering organisation, has expanded its series of mobile 3D mapping systems with development of a low-cost, low-maintenance laser scanner specifically designed for hydrographic applications.Using time-of-flight laser technology, the Merlin system rapidly measures and records time-tagged geo-referenced data points above water lines which can then be synchronised with a vessel’s bathymetric data to provide a simultaneous 3D map of a full marine environment. Acquiring a resulting full point cloud in a single pass significantly reduces project timescales and the amount of time survey teams have to spend in challenging conditions, says Karl Bradshaw, Business Manager for Renishaw’s mapping products.The versatile scanner is claimed to be unique in that it provides seamless integration with existing vessel hardware and software, avoiding any unnecessary duplication of equipment resources. Designed to support coastal, offshore and inland water applications, it is fully compatible with major industry-standard hydrographic software packages typically produced by Eiva, Hypack, QPS and Teledyne PDS.

Bosses have confirmed a three year deal with the British cruise ship operator All Leisure Holidays (ALH).

The deal will see at least 11 cruise departures from the city this year.

For the last five years Swan Hellenic’s Minerva has been based at Portsmouth International Port for cruises in Northern Europe, the Baltic and Scandinavia. That relationship will continue for at least another three years, with Minerva starting Portsmouth International Port’s 2016 cruise season on April 15th.

Rupert Taylor, Harbour Master at Portsmouth International Port, is responsible for the busy cruise schedule.

Reflecting on the new agreement, Rupert said "I’m delighted that ALH has extended its relationship with Portsmouth International Port for another three years. The first agreement started in 2011, the same year we opened our modern cruise terminal and a key reason they chose to base ships with us for the summer season. Since then we have helped ALH send thousands of passengers off on holidays of a lifetime from Portsmouth International Port and look forward to watching that number grow over the coming years."

Stuart Horne, All Leisure Holidays’ Director of Fleet Operations, said, "Our cruise brands have always had fantastic service from Portsmouth International Port and we are looking forward to continuing this relationship for the foreseeable future. Portsmouth is a fantastic base from which we will be offering 11 cruise departures with Voyager and Minerva during 2016 to some incredible destinations such as Iceland, the White Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia."]]>UKHMAWed, 06 Jan 2016 11:34:28 +0000Dogsthorpe "Harbour Master" Advances to Quarter Finalshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article624
Harbour thumped Phillips 4-1 after winning nine of the first 10 legs at the Lakeside Country Club in his first appearance in the finals for a decade. The 54-year-old is now through to the quarter-finals for the first time in his lengthy career.

Harbour had already knocked out number seven seed Daryl Fitton on a deciding leg in his first round match, but he insists he is capable of much better.

The Cambs County star’s methodical style served him well as he took the opening three legs against Phillips 3-1, 3-0 and 3-0.

Phillips, who converted just one of his first 15 attempts at a finishing double, improved to race through the fourth set 3-0, but Harbour held his nerve to hold his throw throughout the fifth set to claim a 3-2 win. Harbour closed out the match with his first attempt at a double 16.

“I can’t grumble, I’m really happy,” Harbour stated.

“I played okay. I did enough to win, that’s all.

“I was suprised at how Martin played. He hit a lot of low scores and I was able to capitalise.

“I’m a steady player. I always have been. I do my own thing and if the quicker players can’t handle it, then tough.

“It’s unbelievable to be through to the quarter-finals. It will be great darts from now on.”

Harbour now meets Canadian Jeff Smith, the conqueror of Deeping-based second seed Martin Adams, in the quarter-finals on Friday (January 8).]]>UKHMAThu, 07 Jan 2016 17:52:52 +0000Weymouth’s Harbour Wall Fund Agreedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article625
The authority said a survey had revealed the sheet steel piles at at Nothe Parade had reached a "critical condition".A £1.9m funding package to meet the costs of urgent repairs to Weymouth’s Harbour walls has been announced.The work will see sheet steel piles, said to be in a critical condition, being rebuilt at Nothe Parade and at the western end of Custom House Quay.The money will come from reserves, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council revealed.Councillor Ian Bruce said: "They are well beyond their design life, the repairs are urgently needed."Nelsons Wharf jetty will be permanently removed as part of the plan.The authority spent £4.5m repairing its ferry port after the harbour wall collapsed in 2012.]]>UKHMAThu, 07 Jan 2016 17:59:29 +0000Long Term Dredging Plan for Brightlingsea Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article626
The main harbour dredge is expected to commence in late 2016 and will be preceded by a dredge by Brightlingsea’s Waterside Marina in early 2016.

The build up of mud is a natural occurrence and dredging is one of Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners’ (BHC) key responsibilities.

The erosion of the inter tidal salt marshes that surround the harbour is also of major concern.Saltmarshes are highly productive biologically, providing nutrients which support other features within the marine ecosystem, such as mudflats, sandflats, subtidal areas, and wildfowl. They also have an important flood defence function, absorbing wave energy and forming a natural buffer between land and sea.

There has been considerable loss of saltmarsh within the harbour area in recent years and BHC recognise the importance of redressing this.

Following extensive consultation with experts in the field in both the UK and Europe, plans are being drawn up for the spoil from harbour dredges to be used in a major regeneration programme for the saltmarshes.

Coincidental to BHC’s own dredging plans, during 2015 the owners of Waterside Marina, which lies within the harbour, put forward proposals for dredging the marina and creating a barrier wall around it. The plans were not acceptable to BHC or many harbour users, so following discussion between BHC and the marina owners, it was agreed that BHC would assist in identifying a more acceptable dredging solution for the marina.

Following additional consultation/survey work a plan has been agreed with the marina owners that will ensure the marina dredge becomes a cohesive element of the programme and that the work will be overseen by BHC.

The areas covered by BHC’s own dredging plan will mainly produce heavy mud waste, whilst the material to be removed from the marina is a lighter silt. Further surveys including complex hydrodynamic modelling have been undertaken which identify that a sediment dispersal programme is the optimum system for extracting the material from the marina.

This option will allow maintenance of navigational depths whilst not removing sediment from the ‘system’.

The Colne Estuary and Brightlingsea Creek are a natural eco-system. Removing sediment from a balanced system can cause erosion or accretion of sediment because of a disruption in the balance. The conclusions of the modelling and assessments on the effects of the proposed marina dredge are:

That there will be no siltation of the main navigation channel.That sedimentation upon the oyster beds within the Colne is negligible whether dispersing on the ebb or flood.That there is minimal, if any, disturbance to wildlife (including fish), flora and fauna during dredging operations.That a flood dispersal is more beneficial to the saltmarshes, and therefore the habitat and designated areas, than an ebb dispersal.That a flood dispersal will see some siltation on the Town Hard, Smack Dock and between Olivers’ Wharf and Morgan Marine. There may be some siltation on the oyster beds being used in the North and South Channel and BHC will work with the operator to mitigate any effect.A key part of the programme will be monitoring; in particular, the amount of siltation and the concentration of sediment within the water. It is intended to employ an independent consultant to conduct the monitoring.

The marina dredge will allow data to be gathered that will be invaluable in determining the final plans for the more extensive and complex harbour dredge.

The timetable will be carefully planned to minimise disruption to harbour users, whilst at the same time maximising the potential for rejuvenation of the saltmarshes.

Amongst the many issues being taken into consideration are the seasonal activities of the leisure boaters, the requirements of commercial oystermen and fishermen and the needs of the wildlife which rely on the saltmarsh.

The total cost of the dredge will be in the region of £720,000. The marina dredge will be funded entirely by the marina owners. Funding of the main harbour dredge will be through a mix of BHC funds and an EU grant.

Jim Addison, the chairman of the Harbour Commissioners, said: ‘Dredging the harbour is a priority established by the Harbour Commissioners, and it essential to the sustainability of Brightlingsea as a commercial and recreational harbour. The opportunity to work with European partners and identify solutions that will enhance and support our unique environment and habitat is welcomed.’Further information about the dredging can be found at www.brightlingseaharbour.org

]]>UKHMAThu, 07 Jan 2016 18:18:25 +0000Four Million Euros Funding Made Available for Killybegs Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article634
Minister Joe McHugh has welcomed the news coming from Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney.

€4.135 million will be used for repairs to Blackrock and Auction Hall Piers; Small Craft Harbour; Smooth Point Pier Development; Landing Pier Fendering; Landing Pier Electrical Design/Works; Boatyard investment.

“A total of €18m was allocated by the Minister for this year’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme. €16m has been set aside towards safety, maintenance and new development works, including at Killybegs,’ said McHugh.

’The remaining €2m will be made available for a Local Authority Harbour Programme, which will assess specifically what is required to address storm damage at Local Authority owned fishery harbours.”

Minister Simon Coveney said today that this year’s programme is significant on a number of fronts.

’Firstly it provides for the continuation of this Governments strategy to develop and improve the facilities at our fishery harbours in 2016. Secondly it prepares the groundwork for potential projects in the coming years all of which will benefit the fishing industry, seafood processing sector, other ancillary marine industries,” Coveney said.]]>UKHMASat, 16 Jan 2016 11:24:51 +0000Plymouth Harbourmaster Saves Man From Drowninghttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article632
Steve Pearson, night harbourmaster at Queen Anne’s Battery, in Plymouth, saved a man from drowning in the water near the National Marine Aquarium.

A HARBOURMASTER who saved a man from drowning in water near the National Marine Aquarium says he was just doing his job.

Steve Pearson, night harbourmaster at Queen Anne’s Battery, rushed to the aid of a man who was struggling in the water in the early hours of Thursday morning (January 7) after hearing his cries for help.

Mr Pearson, aged 52, hauled the terrified man into his boat and rushed him ashore while calling for an ambulance.

Speaking to The Herald today (Friday), Mr Pearson played down the heroic act, claiming he was just doing his job.

Explaining the events that unfolded, he said: "At about 3.40am on Thursday I had not long got back in the office and I could hear a noise that at first sounded like cats fighting but it kept going on so I stuck my head out the back door and realised it was shouting and screaming.

"I got my binoculars out but I couldn’t see anything because it was too dark and then I realised that the noise was coming from the aquarium so I went to check the pontoon to see if anyone had fallen in.

"The screaming was intermittent so I couldn’t really figure out where it was coming from but as I was looking across to the aquarium sea wall I could see something and then I heard the wailing again.

"Once I realised something was in the water and heard the screams my instincts just kicked in.

"I ran to our safety boat, got round to him and dragged him in and as I was bringing him back to our slipway I was on the phone to the ambulance."

The father-of-two, who lives in the city centre with his fiancée Darina, believed the man had been in the water for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Mr Pearson said the man, who only spoke a little English, was wearing just a polo shirt and jeans and had no shoes on.

"He couldn’t talk because he was that cold," said Mr Pearson.

"He was just constantly crying and saying he was cold and he just broke down.

"It took the ambulance about 10 minutes to get there so I stayed with him and comforted him and tried to keep him warm.

"They had to get an interpreter and because of the cold and the shock he was a bit confused.

"He was lucky to survive that long in the freezing water and he had just gone under when I reached him."

It is not known how the man came to be in the water but Mr Pearson believes he may have attempted to find a way to cross to the Barbican from the aquarium after realising the footbridge linking the two was closed.

After an ambulance had taken the man to hospital, Mr Pearson says he continued to do his job until 8am and it was only then that he told colleagues about what had taken place.

He said: "I just continued doing my job and didn’t think anything of it because it’s not the first time I’ve fished someone out of the water.

"It’s not something big to me – it’s just me doing my job.

"Working on the water I expect it all the time – people walking off the pontoons in the dark and things."]]>UKHMAFri, 15 Jan 2016 17:45:05 +0000Prosecution for Illegal Mooring at Milford Havenhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article631
A mooring contractor from Landshipping has been prosecuted by the Port of Milford Haven for causing a hazard to navigation in the Waterway.

Haverfordwest Magistrates Court heard that on 6 August 2015 the yacht Liberation was found adrift whilst still secured to a mooring. Although the yacht was owned by a visiting yachtsman, investigations revealed that the mooring had been laid by Alun Lewis a short time prior to the incident and his permission was given for its use by the visiting yacht.

Lewis, of Landshipping and who provides mooring maintenance services, was prosecuted under port byelaws for laying moorings without the permission of the Harbourmaster, placing and permitting an obstruction within the Haven, and undertaking an act which injuriously affected the safety of navigation.

At his trial on 19 December 2015, Lewis was found guilty of the charges brought against him. He was issued a fine of £500 and ordered to pay costs of £1,270, plus a £50 victim surcharge; a total of £1,820.

Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven Bill Hirst said: The Port is the only authority that can license moorings on the river. This ensures that the correct moorings are used for the correct boats, therefore helping to maintain the highest levels of safety for all users.’]]>UKHMAFri, 15 Jan 2016 17:19:15 +0000New Bulk Chemicals Facility for Liverpoolhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article633
Newport Industries says the facility, at Canada Branch Dock, is needed to meet increased demand from North West clients

A global firm that specialises in the importation of specialist chemicals is to invest £7m in a new bulk handling facility at the Port of Liverpool.

Newport Industries says the facility, at Canada Branch Dock, is needed to meet increased demand from its North West customer base.

It has been a customer at Port of Liverpool owner, Peel Ports’ Runcorn Docks site since 2009.

Its partnership with Peel has seen the company grow bulk volumes handled through Runcorn by 200% in five years.

Investing in a new Liverpool-based facility, will allow Newport Industries to take advantage of a purpose-built facility with direct deep water access.

By continuing operating from its existing site at Runcorn Docks, it will create an all water ‘highway’ into the manufacturing heartland of the UK, via the Manchester Ship Canal – reducing costs and CO2 emissions.

When Peel Ports’ £300m deep water container terminal, Liverpool2 is completed this year, it will open future opportunities for Newport Industries to tap into far eastern markets, potentially facilitating direct calls for large container ships to and from China.

Liverpool2 will enable the port to handle the largest container ships in the global fleet, while at the same time doubling its container capacity to 1milllion TEU.

Construction of the new bulk handling facility will be completed in several phases. The first phase, which includes the construction of a pneumatic ship discharger and two silos, is expected to be delivered by autumn 2016.

The further construction of an additional four silos and a pallet warehouse will be completed by 2018.

Raj Patel, managing director of Newport Industries, said: “We are delighted to announce the development of Canada Dock, a state of the art facility which will combine our technical expertise of the products we supply, with a 24-hour supply chain for all our consumers in the North of England.

“The facility will have an initial capacity to supply more than 500,000 tonnes by 2017, with an additional 300,000mts by 2020.”

Newport Industries has also signed up to Peel Ports’ major carbon emission initiative, Cargo200, which aims to reduce UK freight mileage.]]>UKHMAFri, 15 Jan 2016 18:00:41 +0000Peel Ports Enjoys Ten Fold Increase in Pre Tax Profitshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article635
The profit improvement came despite a small fall in turnover, which was £616.1m, down from £623.7m a year earlierThe owner of the Port of Liverpool and the Manchester Ship Canal has recorded a tenfold increase in pre-tax profits.

Peel Ports’ latest accounts filed at Companies House show that profit before tax in the 12 months to March 2015 was £40.6m, up from £3.9m notched up in the previous year.

In addition to the Port of Liverpool and the Manchester Ship Canal, Peel also owns or operates ports in Heysham, the River Clyde, Kent, Great Yarmouth and Dublin and it owns shipping line BG Freight Line. The group attributed the profits surge to the strong performance of its port operations, but blamed currency fluctuations in its shipping services arm for the dip in turnover.

Cargo tonnage passing through Peel’s facilities around the UK rose 2.6%. In the accounts, the company’s directors state: “Ports continued to deliver turnover and profit growth, underpinned by a diversified service offering and customer base, long term contracts and a significant level of guaranteed revenue.

“Turnover was lower in shipping, which was impacted by a higher euro to sterling exchange rate during the year, and Marine Support Services, a lower gross margin division.”

Peel Ports is 50.1% owned by Isle of Man based John Whittaker’s Tokenhouse. The remaining 49.9% stake is held by Deutsche Bank.]]>UKHMASat, 16 Jan 2016 11:34:21 +0000Brightlingsea Harbour Master Dies Unexpectedlyhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article636
TRIBUTES have been paid to Brightlingsea’s Harbour Master after he died unexpectedly at the weekend.

Stephen Chick died aged 55 on Saturday 9 January after what was believed to have been a heart attack.

Mr Chick had been working in the town for 18 months after a distinguished career in the Royal Navy and had become a popular and well known-face in the town since his arrival.

He joined the Navy in 1979 and had been deployed at various locations around the world including the Far East, Iran and Iraq and reached the rank of commodore before leaving.

Workers at the Harbour Commission have been left in shock at his death, with some members of staff believed to have offered to cancel leave in a bid to ensure work could continue as normally as possible.

Flags at the Brightlingsea Smack Dock were flown at half-mast as a mark of respect following Mr Chick’s death.

Amongst his achievements included spearheading a project to dredge the area around the harbour, introducing a long-term strategy for the harbour to employ and other short-term improvements.

Chairman of the Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners Jim Addison paid tribute to Mr Chick, who had made a huge impact in his short time in the role and had fallen in love with his surroundings.

He said: “’Steve’s sudden death is a tremendous shock to all involved with Brightlingsea Harbour.

“He has been harbour master here for eighteen months; his energetic approach, commitment and skills will be sorely missed, but will leave a lasting legacy.

“Our thoughts are with his family and many friends at this time.”]]>UKHMASun, 17 Jan 2016 12:10:46 +0000Maryport Allocates Funds for Dredginghttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article637
Up to £500,000 is to be spent to dredge Maryport’s harbour.

Pauline Gorley, chief executive of Maryport Harbour and Marina Authority, is pleased that work to dredge Maryport Harbour is to begin soonPauline Gorley, chief executive of Maryport Harbour and Marina Authority, is pleased that work to dredge Maryport Harbour is to begin soonA contract has been awarded by Maryport Marina and Harbour Authority to Dutch firm Van Oord.

It will begin dredging on February 4.

John McAvoy, fishing co-operative chairman, said in recent times even boats leaving at high water had had trouble negotiating the silted harbour.

He said: "The harbour used to be dredged every five years but it is more than that since Elizabeth Dock was dredged. The situation was really becoming critical.

"Boats were having real difficulty. This will make life better for them and may even attract other boats into the harbour."

Pauline Gorley, chief executive of the authority, said Van Oord would be on site from February 4 for four to six weeks to dredge the Elizabeth and Senhouse docks.

Van Oord is a specialist in water injection dredging and it will be the first time it has been used in Maryport.

An injection beam located underneath the vessel injects large volumes of water under low pressureinto silt and it is removed as it turns denser.

Mrs Gorley said the dredging programme would benefit harbour users and especially the fishing industry’s larger boats as they will be able to access the landing quay during neap tides as well as spring tides.

Senhouse Dock was dredged six years ago but the authority announced at that time that it had no money to dredge Elizabeth Dock.

It has not been dredged since 2006.

Mrs Gorley said the money for the scheme came from the interest and dividends of an endowment the authority holds for infrastructure maintenance and dredging. ]]>UKHMASun, 17 Jan 2016 12:27:58 +00002015 Record Year for Rotterdamhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article638
]]>UKHMASun, 17 Jan 2016 12:38:02 +0000Port Border Controls - Concerns Raisedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article639
THE fears raised by Dorset’s independent PCC about port border controls have been mirrored by a Conservative MP.

Chris Chope, who represents Christchurch, told the Daily Echo that he “goes along” with Martyn Underhill’s comments expressing concern for the reduction in Border Force Cutters, as well as the imminent loss of the UK’s maritime surveillance capability.

He said that smugglers are increasingly using high-speed boats to cross the English Channel and that “as an island” the UK should look to its port security first.

He said that Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones, a former security minister and chairman of the British Joint Intelligence Committee, has also raised concerns about maritime port security.

“If she is worried then that is a real cause for concern,” he said, adding that he is also concerned about migrants arriving from camps in Calais.

“We don’t know who has been getting across to the UK,” he said. “We seem incapable of stopping them.”]]>UKHMAWed, 20 Jan 2016 09:11:21 +0000Weymouth Pier Repairs to Commence in Februaryhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article640
WORK has been ordered on Weymouth’s dilapidated Pleasure Pier to stop it falling into the sea – amid a wider plan to improve the harbour and boost the town’s fortunes.

The Pleasure Pier, which is more than 80 years old, will be closed off for six weeks from February 1 while concrete repairs are carried out underneath the deck, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council says.

It is hoped the elevated cafe, which has been closed for a few years, can reopen this summer.

The project to fix the pier comes as the council presses ahead with engineering and viability works associated with the Town Centre Masterplan – a redevelopment vision for key sites including the Pavilion peninsula.

In the meantime however, councillors and officers will be meeting this month for a ’brainstorming’ session on what to do to improve areas of the harbour, including the peninsula, and how to generate income.

Discussions are also continuing with an operator for a potential new ferry service, although as reported in the Echo, this has been hit by delays as further financial backing is sought.

Management committee chairman Cllr Ian Bruce said: "We are still pressing the operator for a firm decision however we are making sure we have a ’plan b’ because we can’t just sit here and wait. We have to be proactive.

"We are discussing to see what else can come into the port and how we can generate income."

Cllr Bruce added: "I’ve always been of the opinion having one sailing a day is not sustainable and personally I would like to see two operators doing two or three sailings, something which could pay for itself and the harbour repairs.

"A number of different ideas will be discussed when we meet with officers, which also includes things we can do if we haven’t got a ferry port.

"We will be looking at the harbour as a whole, there’s many aspects to it."

Concerns have been raised that the council cannot keep propping up the harbour budget in light of reduced income.

Works are underway on two other harbour walls at Nothe Parade and Custom House Quay that need urgent repair after a £1.9m bailout was agreed earlier this month.

Cllr Bruce said: "I want to emphasise that we are not going to keep delaying things, in terms of the harbour area. We are pressing ahead with repairs to walls and structures and looking at a wide plan for the harbour."

THE Pleasure Pier, completed in 1933, was built by the Great Western Railway to serve the ferry terminal. In its heyday, it was a venue for dances, swimming competitions and brass bands.

In recent years, the elevated cafe became a tourist hotspot but has since closed – Cllr Bruce said he hopes the cafe can reopen this year.

The pier remains a point of interest for its views of the bay and as a fishing platform. However it has suffered from years of neglect.

Councillors were told of significant structural defects three years ago, following a survey of harbour walls to help draw up a priority list of repair and maintenance works amid tight budgets

It was agreed to carry out works when necessary – rather than knocking it down completely or giving it a major overhaul – and the project in February is in the planned works budget. Works will not affect the car park, or visitors to the Jurassic Skyline attraction.

A pilot initiative that encourages fishermen to take ashore litter they catch while at sea is being actively promoted by industry groups in three ports —Clogherhead, Co Louth, and Castletownbere and Union Hall in West Cork.

A number of successful “Fishing for Litter” schemes which are running in Europe not only involves the direct removal of litter from the sea, but also raises awareness of the issue in the fishing industry and local communities.

The pioneering project has expanded from an original pilot scheme in the Netherlands to become a highly recognisable initiative.

For two decades, KIMO, a Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation, has worked to protect, preserve and enhance northern Europe’s marine environment.

The organisation, which represents coastal communities on marine pollution issues, started with a membership of just four authorities, but it now represents over 150 communities in a growing number of countries, including Ireland.

A key underpinning component is the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which requires member states to ensure that properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environments.

The project is designed to reduce the amount of marine litter in the seas by physically removing it, and to highlight the importance of good waste management amongst the fishing fleet.

“Fishing for Litter” is a simple idea. Participating vessels are given hardwearing bags to collect marine litter that is caught in their nets during their normal fishing activities.

This reduces the volume of debris washing up on beaches and also reduces the amount of time fishermen spend untangling their nets.

KIMO’s “Fishing for Litter” is an imaginative initiative to reduce marine litter by involving one of the key stakeholders, the fishing industry.

It is being encouraged here through a pilot programme by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which hosted a workshop on ‘Marine Litter and Derelict Fishing Gear’ in the agency’s Seafood Development Centre (SDC) in Clonakilty, 14 months ago.

Key aims of the workshop were to identify a network of harbours and fishing vessels in the region so that participating boats could land the marine litter caught in their fishing gear and to remove litter from the marine environment.

Stakeholders also looked at industry-based solutions to assist in the prevention, removal and disposal of derelict fishing gear.

Michael Keatinge, BIM’s Director of Fisheries Development, said one of the key objectives of the “Fishing for Litter” initiative is to reduce plastic in the ocean, which the scheme can do at a very practical level.

Marine litter remains one of the most significant problems affecting the marine environment. Some 20,000 tonnes of litter is dumped into the North Sea alone every year.

KIMO says over 90% of the world’s cargo is transported by sea but weather, commercial pressure and communication failure sees 10,000 containers being lost overboard annually.

Plastic, the predominate type of marine litter, can cause entanglement, or be ingested by marine mammals and birds killing 100,000 and 1,000,000 respectively world wide each year.

In addition, fishermen lose countless hours clearing and untangling ships, resulting in lost fishing time. Meanwhile, beaches can quickly become unsafe and unsightly to the public.

Over 212 boats and 15 harbours participate in the Scottish initiative alone. It has resulted in the removal of over 800 tonnes of marine litter from the seas over the past ten years.

That’s enough to fill two Olympic swimmng pools and is the equivalent of bringing more than 35 million empty drink cans ashore.

Facilitated by BIM, local industry groups in Castletownbere and Union Hall recently met with Tom Piper of KIMO UK to hear what the programme has achieved in Britain and what lessons can be learnt to ensure it gains traction in Ireland.

BIM says the response has been extremely positive and local representatives, including the respective Harbour Masters, fishermen, community groups and Cork County Council have been instrumental in its progress to date.

The success of the programme in Britain has demonstrated that the cost of marine litter is not only borne by the marine environment.

It has shown that the cost to the fishing industry is on average €12,000 per boat, each year, through contamination of catches, broken gear and fouled propellers.

Each boat is calculated to take 41 hours a year to remove marine debris from its nets, a significant amount of a boat’s allocated days at sea.

Castletownbere Harbour Master Cormac McGinley said it was delighted to take part in an initiative that fits well with its existing marine waste collection facilities.

“Through BIM and Frank Fleming of Responsible Irish Fish, we are confident we can continue to get fishermen to sign up and take part in this worthwhile programme,” he said During KIMO’s visit to Union Hall, retired fisherman and current BIM board director, Bill Deasy said the “Fishing for Litter” initiative is one of the positive steps which the industry itself is taking to maintain a healthy marine environment for future generations.

Teresa Shanahan, Union Hall Coast Care, said that by removing waste from the sea and preventing the discard of further litter, beaches will become cleaner and safer and the impact on marine wildlife through ingestion, entanglement and contamination will also be reduced.

Union Hall Harbour Master John Minihane has facilitated a designated point in a busy compound where ‘Fishing for Litter’ bags can be kept and collated, ready for safe and responsible disposal of the waste ashore.

Cork County Council provide a number of facilities for effective waste management for the local vessels on the pier.

It is a win for the marine environment and a win for those whose livelihoods depend on quality seafood, he said.]]>UKHMAWed, 20 Jan 2016 09:30:30 +00002015 - Growth Year for Ipswichhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article642
The Port of Ipswich has reported a near-14% increase in shipping traffic during 2015, helped by a multi-million pound investment by owner Associated British Ports (ABP) in new facilities.

A total of 690 ships called at the port last year, the highest number in the last three years and well up on the figure of 606 recorded in 2014.

Ipswich is the UK’s largest port for grain exports and this position was strengthened last year with the opening of the new £2.2million Orwell Bulk Terminal at Cliff Quay.

Alastair MacFarlane, port manager for ABP East Anglia, which also includes the ports of Lowestoft and King’s Lynn, said: “The Port of Ipswich continues to be a key element of the agricultural supply chain in East Anglia. Not only are locally grown crops such as wheat and barley exported through our port, but we are the principal port for fertiliser and animal feed imports which are important to Suffolk’s farming community.”

The port also saw strong growth in the construction sector last year, with customers importing higher volumes of aggregates and cement while bricks and timber also continued to represent an important component of the port’s trade.

Together, ABP’s three ports in East Anglia contribute an estimated £340million to the UK economy and support more than 3,500 jobs in the region.

They handle around 2.2million n tonnes of cargo every year, including more than 1.3m tonens of agribulks and 150,000 tonnes of timber.

The development of the Orwell Bulk Terminal also saw ABP invest in solar panelling as part of an ongoing commitment by the group to use eco-friendly electricity within its port estates.

Despite only being in operation since May, the panels installed on the new terminal have already generated 66,500 kilowatts hours of electricity – the equivalent of one hour of power for 1.1million light bulbs.

ABP short sea ports director Andrew Harston added: “2015 has proved to be another busy year for the Port of Ipswich.

“I would like to thank our ABP staff, and most importantly, our customers for trusting the Port of Ipswich with their business. We look forward to another busy year in 2016 and increasing the number of ship visits again.”]]>UKHMAWed, 20 Jan 2016 09:37:03 +0000Plans Submitted for Fishguard Projecthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article643
Conygar Stena Line, the joint venture between The Conygar Investment Company and Stena Line, has announced that it has submitted planning and marine licence applications in respect of the first phase of the Fishguard Harbour Marina project.

This consists of the construction of two new breakwaters, revetments and an 8 hectare reclamation platform, 1.4 hectares of which would be allocated for the future port development works and the remainder for the residential and marina related development.

In addition, the proposed development will include the construction of a marina basin to accommodate 345 berths and an approach channel to provide all tide access.

The first phase of the development would also include a public slipway, a boat hoist and a service quay for local fishing boats.

Robert Ware, CEO of Conygar, commented:

"The submission of these applications for the construction of the infrastructure which includes two breakwaters, dredging the marina basin and so creating a platform for the housing, is an important further step towards Conygar being able to deliver the residential development and the marina with its ancillary facilities."]]>UKHMAWed, 20 Jan 2016 09:40:51 +0000Five New Special Areas of Conservation Proposed for Harbour Porpoiseshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article644
Swathes of the seas around England, Wales and Northern Ireland could become protected areas to help harbour porpoises.

Harbour porpoises are the smallest marine mammal in UK waters

Swathes of the seas around England, Wales and Northern Ireland could become protected areas to help harbour porpoises.

A consultation has been launched on designating five possible Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in areas which are important to the smallest marine mammal in UK waters.

The potential sites cover areas off the Northern Irish and Welsh coast, the Bristol Channel and the North Sea, extending across large sections of sea to protect the highly mobile harbour porpoises.

In total, the five areas identified in a process by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the UK’s Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs) would cover 55,039 square kilometres (21,250 square miles).

Harbour porpoises are found in all UK waters, but due to pressures on them such as being caught as accidental "by-catch" in fisheries, they are assessed as being under threat or in decline in the Greater North Sea and Celtic Sea.

Paul Rose, marine director at the JNCC, said: "The evidence used to identify the five sites comes from a wide variety of sources dating back to 1994.

"This data provides a robust background to the consultation and I am delighted to see it being used so innovatively and am grateful to all who collected it and permitted its use."

Members of the public, marine industries and organisations are being invited to submit responses to the consultation, and then a report will be submitted for governmental decision on the sites.

If it is decided they are suitable for designation, they will then be considered further by the European Commission.

Joan Edwards, head of Living Seas at The Wildlife Trusts, said: "We welcome this consultation on new protected sites for harbour porpoise, the most numerous cetacean in our waters.

"We are pleased to see that, for the first time in England and Wales, this enigmatic species will have site-based protection."

Catherine Weller, wildlife lawyer at environmental law firm ClientEarth, said: "These new protected areas are a step in the right direction for the harbour porpoise.

"We need to ensure that the areas designated are those that will offer the highest benefit to the harbour porpoise and that when designated, these sites are managed effectively."

But she said: "It’s disappointing that the Scottish government has stalled its consultation regarding at least three further areas, reducing the potential for comprehensive protection for the harbour porpoise in UK waters."

Potential SACs around the UK were identified by government conservation advisers using data about harbour porpoises from the last 18 years.

The consultation comes after the European Commission threatened legal action against the UK Government in 2014 for failing to designate protection areas for harbour porpoises under EU laws.

Pine Eisfeld-Pierantonio, Whale and Dolphin Conservation’s conservation and policy officer, said: "WDC greatly regrets the decision by the Scottish government, which seriously undermines the whole UK process and the achievement of an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas.

’WDC congratulates Defra (the Environment Department) for finally taking this positive step, which is only dampened by Scotland’s decision to delay."]]>UKHMAWed, 20 Jan 2016 09:47:30 +0000Car Trade Resumes in Ramsgatehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article645
The ship transported one thousand cars in a new port operation by transport and logistics company GEFCO UK Ltd using one of the Port’s existing Ro-Ro (roll on roll off) berths.

GEFCO import and distribute 500,000 vehicles annually through UK ports for several major vehicle manufacturers.

Port of Ramsgate back in businessUnder a licence which has been granted by Thanet District Council, GEFCO have commenced a new operation to import and store cars at the Port of Ramsgate prior to onward distribution around the UK.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise Services, Cllr Hunter Stummer-Schmertzing, said: "It’s fantastic to see another business operating out of the Port of Ramsgate. This new operation uses the Port’s existing infrastructure and a portion of the freight and car lanes, all of which are ready to accommodate this new business, without compromising additional new ferry opportunities. This is a great message that the Port of Ramsgate is open and ready to do business and that the industry is recognising the potential opportunities that our facilities have to offer."

Ramsgate Harbour has a history of car importation going right back to the 1960s which was continued when the port was constructed in the early 1980s.

The port has been dormant for nearly three years after TransEuropa Ferries went bankrupt in April 2013.]]>UKHMAWed, 20 Jan 2016 10:06:40 +0000More Roll-on/Roll-off Capacity for Cars Required Potentially at Grimsbyhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article646
MORE roll-on, roll-off capacity could be required at the ports of Grimsby and Immingham, as automotive industry boss Mark Hindley outlined his growth projections for the area.

Land cost and availability, together with the central UK location, access from continental Europe and a strong workforce, give the area a huge tick when it comes to working in the growing market.

Mr Hindley, business development director at Paragon, a company that has just unveiled a state-of-the-art handling facility for Kia, as part of a £20 million long term deal, said: "Logistics are about trying to be efficient and one thing this area creates is efficiency. It is very good for bringing vessels in from the Far East, Germany and the continent. It is also very good for exporting vehicles out. That gives good flow.

Praising the quality of the labour pool, he said: "Paragon is 10 years old and we have been here for 10 years and a lot of people have been with us for 10 years."

He said the DFDS outer harbour facility, built outside the lock gates at Immingham - also 10 years old - was a key piece in the jigsaw.

"We have vehicles built in Korea coming in on very large vessels that can carry up to 7,000 cars. They are 250m long vessels that need a certain size of berth. The Port of Immingham has that capacity to discharge.

We also have cars built in Slovakia that come across from Germany on smaller ships. The great thing about Immingham is it can take both big and small vessels.

"Lead mileage, the average mileage to the dealer is important too, and this area is central. You can be in Scotland in a day, in the south in a day. In terms of delivering cars it is a really good location with great transport links, we are straight down the motorway, and it is not like we are dealing with congestion on the M25."

Having told how 2015 was a record year, with 2.63 million cars sold in the UK and no sign of the brakes being applied, Mr Hindley said: "What we see is growth here, over time. We will be putting more of our activity in this area because we find, looking at the logistics involved, it works."

Bristol is currently Paragon’s top port with 400,000 cars of the one million handled across the group coming in there.

Simon Bird, ABP Humber’s recently appointed director, headed up that operation for 15 years.

"We are talking to ABP, we have a good relationship with ABP, and we are talking about how we increase berth capacity to accommodate larger investments," Mr Hindley said.

"We need to go bigger again," he said, even after the recent addition of the £26 million Grimsby River Terminal.

"That will deal well with short sea, but it won’t deal with deep sea. We couldn’t put a Kia shipment there at the moment," Mr Hindley said.

"The situation at Immingham is it works, we have the deep sea terminal with the outer harbour and the short sea vessels inside. If we want to accommodate growth we would be talking to ABP about both Grimsby and Immingham. It is more big investment if you want bigger river berths. The good news is, today, if we were to bring another customer in, we would have capacity, if we brought two in we wouldn’t.

"I think steadily customers will move from the south to this area, and this is down to the efficiency, shipping and the cost of land. If we go to the Port of Southampton, the land cost is huge, you are within the city, and employment can be challenging. There is a great pool to tap into here."

]]>UKHMASun, 24 Jan 2016 15:07:15 +0000Crane Training Simulator at Port of Liverpoolhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article647
State-of-the-art simulator best in the industry for training new generation of crane operators

Perched 58 metres above the Liverpool2 quayside the view from the crane cab was getting worse as night closed in and the snow got heavier.

But, teasing the joystick controls I locked on to the huge 60-tonne container in the ship’s hold and hauled it upwards and back over the quayside to gently load it onto the waiting trailer which, seconds later, was on the move out of Seaforth container terminal.

Except I wasn’t perched 58 metres above ground, I was sitting in a container in the dock estate and operating a simulator used to train new operatives for the 137.5-metre high ‘megamax’ Chinese cranes, the biggest in the world, which will handle some of the world’s largest container ships at the £300m Liverpool2 site.

Able to lift two containers together, they will reduce the time spent in port by vessels, which is expected to prove a big draw for shipping lines.

Five of a total of eight cranes are in now place awaiting vessels, and Peel Ports training officer Khalid Mahdy explained the importance of the simulator: “We create day-in day-out events, but in a safe manner.”

The simulator incorporates the Liverpool skyline into the cab’s screens, even showing ships in the river and dock workers scurrying around on the quayside, to create the most life-like scenarios for trainees, including weather conditions of up to 50-knot winds, wind, rain, and snow storms.

He said the training is bespoke and among the best around: “It has to be the best because that will differentiate Liverpool from our competitors. That’s the key that will get Liverpool back on the world stage.”

So far 20 operators have been trained, but more will follow, said Mr Mahdy. They will work shifts of up to 12 hours, although the new cranes offer a new standard in comfort. The chair in each cab costs £35,000 and is suspended from the ceiling with dampers to lessen shocks and movement for the operators.

Crane operator, and instructor, Darrin Hyde, said: “There is less strain on your back. I know, having had two back operations in 10 years.”

He said the simulator is the best around: “This is all singing and dancing. This gives you 50-60% of what you are doing.”

Mr Huck said the simulator will also be used to train crane operators from Peel’s Glasgow, Manchester and Dublin port operations: “Liverpool is the centre of excellence for our ports,” he said.

And he revealed that Liverpool John Moores University and Mersey Maritime students could also be offered access: “There’s a lot of students who would benefit from a couple of hours in the simulator.”]]>UKHMASun, 24 Jan 2016 15:12:53 +0000Whole of Poole Harbour to Possibly Become a Special Protection Areahttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article648
Poole has become such an important site for certain species of bird that Natural England wants to extend the Special Protection Area to cover the whole of Poole Harbour.

Figures show that the numbers of sandwich terns, little egrets and Eurasian spoonbills using the waters and shoreline around the harbour have increased to significant numbers.

Poole has the second largest over-wintering spoonbill population in the UK and the 13th largest over-wintering sandwich tern population, at 181 breeding pairs.

Sandwich terns were not mentioned when the harbour was first classified as an SPA in 1999 because there were not enough birds to warrant it.

But since then, up to 213 pairs a year have been seen nesting at Brownsea, the most south-westerly colony in the country.

The number of little egrets in the lagoon has risen from 83 per year to 113 per year, making it the 11th most important site in Britain (and the most important SPA.)

And the number of spoonbills, also not significant in 1999, has risen to 20 per winter - almost half the GB population.

Poole Harbour is also considered the most important SPA in the UK for Mediterranean gulls, which have seen a tenfold increase since 1999.

To protect these birds, Natural England wants to extend the existing SPA to cover all the waters of the harbour (hatched purple on the map) and a small section of land near Lytchett (hatched blue on the map).

Natural England says the area northwest of Lytchett Bay has become subject to tidal inundation, improving its value as a roosting and foraging area for shelduck, black-tailed godwit and other bird species.

Natural England also want to create a new SPA along the Solent and Dorset coast to provide additional protection for sandwich terns and common terns.

That would include the coast from the Purbecks all the way to Bognor Regis and around Poole and Bournemouth as below.

In a Special Protection Area, authorities have to ensure that offshore activities do not damage the site. Other measures may also be taken to protect sites, such as conservation measures, management schemes and guidance. There is also an offence which covers research activities and scuba diving, and prohibits damage to protected species and habitats in a site.

Members of the public and other interested parties will be able to comment on the proposals until April, when the consultation is set to close.

A Natural England spokesman explained: "It is proposed the new SPA would incorporate the current SPA and be extended seaward to the harbour mouth, and the landward boundary would include additional land to the north west of Lytchett Bay."

"Currently the SPA boundary extends to mean low water, however waterbirds and seabirds use the waters throughout the harbour to forage and roost.

"At low water on spring tides, waders feed on areas below mean low water while terns, ducks and cormorant feed and roost over open water areas within the harbour, where the seabed is sub-tidal."

Natural England will report to the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs on the responses received and submit the final site recommendation and impact assessment after the consultation ends.

"Once government has taken all consultation responses into account, it will then decide whether to classify the site as a SPA," explained the spokesman.

Visit gov.uk/government/consultations/poole-harbour-special-protection-area-extension-comment-on-proposals or www.gov.uk/government/consultations/solent-and-dorset-coast-potential-special-protection-area-comment-on-proposals for information.

]]>UKHMASun, 24 Jan 2016 15:26:58 +0000First Marina Apprentice Starts Work in Foweyhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article649
THE UK’s first marina and boatyard apprentice has taken up his new role at Fowey Harbour.

Daniel Jane won the 12-month apprenticeship place amid a large amount of interest and following a rigorous interview process and will work 37 hours a week while also studying for a Level 2 Diploma in Maritime operations: Marina and Boatyard National Vocational Qualification, along with various Level 2 qualifications for the industry.

He was placed through Cornwall Training and Consultancy, which launched in April last year and is the first accredited organisation in the UK to place an apprentice into the workplace under the new Marina and Boatyard Apprenticeship, as well as being the first approved centre in the South West to deliver the scheme.

Fowey harbour master Captain Paul Thomas said: "We are delighted to welcome Dan to our team, and it is especially nice to be able to offer an opportunity to a young person starting on a career in the maritime sector.]]>UKHMASun, 24 Jan 2016 15:32:15 +0000New Dockmaster Appointed for Hull and Goolehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article650
Mark Collier is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities presented by his new role

Associated British Ports (ABP) Humber has announced the appointment of Mark Collier to the role of Dock Master Hull & Goole.

Mark, who has worked for ABP for 13 years, joined the company as a Berthing Master, before moving into the Senior Assistant Dock Master role. Grant Fotheringham will be supporting Mark as the new Senior Assistant Dock Master for Hull and Goole.

Mark’s looking forward to the challenges the new role will bring.

He said: “I’ve worked in a number of marine management roles throughout my career, latterly as Senior Assistant Dock Master for ABP in Hull and Goole, and all have allowed me to develop my marine management skills.

“The new position will allow me to use all of that experience to fulfil my duties as Dock Master and I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Prior to joining ABP Mark was the Port Manager for the Falkland Islands following a career in the Merchant Navy and he also worked on survey and fishery protection vessels in South Africa and South America.

Mark’s new role will involve fulfilling the duty of Dock Master for the area’s Statutory Harbour Authority which includes maintaining regular dialogue with dock users, regulatory authorities and adjacent harbour authorities; ensuring the authority and ABP comply with all statutory marine legislation, and overseeing the implementation of the Marine Safety Management System, as well as assisting with investment projects and oversee dredging budgets and procurement of services.

ABP Port Manager for Hull and Goole Mark Frith said: “Mark’s been with ABP for a number of years and has a great deal of experience and expertise. We know he’ll be a first-class Dock Master.

“As the UK’s leading port operator we pride ourselves on the quality of our workforce and in Mark and Grant we have an excellent team that will lead our marine staff to deliver an improved service for our partners and customers.”

Mark Collier continued: “I thoroughly enjoy working in the marine industry and relish the variation it brings, from managing people to resources and infrastructure.

“I’m looking forward to further developing my career with ABP – I have a vast pool of knowledge available to me in my colleagues and partners, and working with them to achieve a common goal is something that I find incredibly exciting.”

]]>UKHMATue, 26 Jan 2016 12:37:04 +00002015 - A Record Year for Scrabsterhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article651
Scrabster Harbour benefited from a rise in oil and gas and renewables activity.

Scrabster Harbour Trust, which runs mainland Scotland’s most northerly port, had a record 2015, bringing in more than £2.8 million in revenue.

This was up on the £2.4m revenue in 2014, and comes as the port looks forward in 2016 to celebrating 175 years since the harbour was created.

More than 2,167 vessels arrived last year, in line with the previous 12 months. However, due to a rise in activity linked to the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors, total vessel tonnage reached 8.26 million tonnes – an increase of 2 per cent.

The fishing and ferry sectors were still the largest revenue earners for the port.

Sandy Mackie, trust manager for Scrabster Harbour, said: “At a time when oil and gas leaders are embarking on efficiency drives, Scrabster Harbour is proving to be an attractive and cost-effective solution.”

The 1,000 tonne main tower structure for the J-Lay project being transported from the vessel to IHC EBs facility in South Harbour at Port of Blyth. The 1,000 tonne main tower structure for the J-Lay project being transported from the vessel to IHC EBs facility in South Harbour at Port of Blyth

The arrival of a 1,000 tonne structure at Port of Blyth has marked a major milestone in an ongoing project that will see the creation of one of the world’s largest pipe laying systems.

IHC Engineering Business, a major supplier of engineering services to the offshore energy sector, expects to complete the J-Lay Project by early next year.

As part of the work, the company, part of Royal IHC, designed a main tower section, which has been shipped in from the Netherlands and, using specialist transport units, transferred to its main UK manufacturing and assembly facility at Port of Blyth’s South Harbour Terminal.

Ultimately, the 2,500 tonne pipe laying system will form part of a large deep-sea offshore construction vessel.

IHC EB managing director Paul Hardisty said: “The J-Lay project is enormously important to us and we are proud to have reached this critical milestone.

“This is the first major project we will execute at the Port of Blyth.

“It will pave the way for other major works that we will complete in 2016.

“The establishment of our new facility is a major landmark in the development of IHC and is clear evidence of our commitment to manufacturing in the North East.

“We are grateful for the excellent support received from the Port of Blyth team.”

With a history in Dutch shipbuilding dating back to the mid-17th century, Royal IHC, a supplier of equipment, vessels and services for the offshore, dredging and wet mining markets, aims to enable its customers to execute complex projects from sea level to ocean floor in challenging of maritime environments.

Employing 3,000 people globally, the group is able to ensure a local presence and support on every continent.

The Port of Blyth is one of the largest Trust Ports in the UK, handling up to 2m tonnes of cargo per year across five terminals based around the River Blyth.

Together with major logistics and training divisions, the Port group has a turnover of over £20m and is expecting to announce record turnover and profitability for 2015 despite challenging global trading conditions.

The business’s success has been driven by growth across a variety of sectors, including offshore energy, containers, dry bulks and marine fuels.

Port chief executive Martin Lawlor said: “We are delighted to see the arrival of this major structure as part of a significant project for both the Port and IHC EB.

“This demonstrates the close working relationship between our two companies and is another example of the Port’s emergence as a major offshore energy hub.”]]>UKHMAMon, 01 Feb 2016 10:01:34 +0000New Director at Milford Havenhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article653
Natalie Britton will take on responsibility running of key areas of the business including Milford Fish Docks, said to be Wales’ biggest fishing port, and Milford Marina.

She will also head up South Wales’ largest ferry terminal operation and develop plans for increased cargo throughput at Pembroke Port.

Britton has previously worked for former port customer Murco, and more recently at Svitzer, one of its partners in providing port towage services.

Chief Executive Alec Don said: "The Port of Milford Haven is one of the UK’s biggest ports - it handles more seaborne trade in oil and gas than any other. However, exciting opportunities exist within the areas of Pembroke Port, Milford Fish Docks and Milford Marina which, with the right support, could create over 1,500 additional jobs across both sites.

"Natalie’s role includes attracting new opportunities, such as renewable energy manufacture and increased cargo throughput, to Pembroke Port, and working with our sales and marketing team to grow the marina and support the regeneration of the fishing industry in Milford Docks."

]]>UKHMAFri, 05 Feb 2016 19:52:26 +0000New Workboat for Falmouthhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article654
Boat builders cross the European Union are being invited to tender for the contract to build the new vessel.

The contract, which is estimated to be worth around £400,000, will be awarded in accordance with the European Union’s procurement procedures.

Mark Sansom, chief executive and harbour master for the commissioners said: “Due to the estimated value of the contract and the fact that we are a Trust Port, we are obliged to follow the strict EU procurement process.

’We look forward to receiving applications and very much hope that local businesses will be interested in tendering.”

He also confirmed that FHC would not be seeking grant funding of any kind to support the project.

Based on the design of the Pendennis, the new craft will be a steel-hull catamaran capable of maintaining small craft mooring and other operational activities such as the servicing of navigation marks, undertaking limited salvage and any counter-pollution duties.

The craft will be fitted with a five-tonne SWL A frame and a five-tonne hydraulic crane.

The wheelhouse is offset to give maximum deck space for the crew when handling lifts and moorings.

FHC hopes to place an order in April and take delivery of the new vessel, which has been designed by naval architect Ian Darley, before the end of the year.

Mr Sansom Chief Executive and Harbour Master, added: “Pendennis has served us very well for 36 years but it has now reached a point where maintaining it is uneconomical.

“Having reviewed all the options for replacing it we concluded that there was no off-the-shelf replacement design that would carry out the range of tasks as efficiently and effectively as our existing craft.

The tonnage provides an insight into the state of Northern Ireland’s economy with commodities linked to the energy and consumer sectors growing but those related to agri-food in decline.

There was a new record high in the number of freight vehicles passing through the port at 480,000, up 5,000 on the previous year.

Imports of home heating oil grew by 13 per cent to 843,000 tonnes as oil prices fell, driving liquid bulk imports to a five-year high of 2.3m tonnes.

There was also an indicator in an improving picture for the north’s exports with stone exports up 6 per cent to 1.5m tonnes and cement product up 84 per cent to 199,000 for the first time since 2008.

Animal feed imports, however, fell back by 9 per cent.

Steel imports were up 6 per cent to 125,000 tonnes, almost three times higher than the recession’s low point of 2009, but container traffic declined by under 2 per cent to 123,000 boxes, suggesting a slight decrease in overall manufacturing activity.

Ferry passenger numbers dipped slightly by 2 per cent to just under 1.4m following three years of growth, while cruise passengers calling at Belfast continued to grow, increasing to 115,000 in 2015.

’Construction material exports and freight traffic linked to consumer activity have been largely positive, as has been heating oil imports within the energy sector.

“On the downside, international marketplace challenges have negatively impacted Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector, leading to a 9 per cent fall in animal feed imports, offsetting any tonnage gains and resulting in a similar tonnage performance to 2014.

“Overall, though, tonnages are more than seven million tonnes higher than the recession’s low point and our long-term projection is for continued tonnage growth. To support this the harbour progressed a number of projects during 2015, including an upgrade of its roll-on/roll-off and container handling facilities, plus a new cruise ship berth.”

Regional development minister, Michelle McIlveen, said the figures ’demonstrate that Belfast Harbour continues to be an anchor point for the Northern Ireland economy, supporting businesses in a variety of sectors’.

’It will be increasingly important that the harbour’s plans are shaped by the executive’s wider priorities. Infrastructure development will be a key driver for the local economy and I’m pleased to note that the harbour continues to invest to facilitate future growth.”]]>UKHMAFri, 05 Feb 2016 20:54:08 +0000Portsoy Harbour Development Challengedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article656
The historic heart of a north-east harbour could be changed forever if the Scottish Government overturns a decision made by local councillors.

Plans were unveiled last year to create a new boat shed and self-catering accommodation in Portsoy’s 17th century refuge.

The proposal from Garmouth-based architect Stuart Matthew was backed by the local authority’s own planning service, but was criticised by councillors and residents who feared the development – on land at a former salt house – would damage the town’s popular annual boat festival.

The campaign to block the scheme was even joined by film producer Alan Wands, who used the conservation zone as the backdrop for his remake of Whisky Galore starring comedian Eddie Izzard.

Mr Wands, a Hollywood producer,in a letter to councillors on the Banff and Buchan area committee, said approval of the development would damage hopes of further movie projects using the location.

“It’s hard to believe that a council that were so helpful to me in the making of Whisky Galore could be so short-sighed in allowing this proposal to go through,” he added.

“It will certainly make it much harder for other filmmakers to use the harbour as a location for period films or television productions.”

Councillors heeded his advice and the pleas of those who signed a 171-name petition, and rejected the application.

Mr Matthew has now lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government.

The proposal is identical to a 2010 application submitted by Mr Matthew which failed to win planning permission in 2012.

A decision on the appeal is due next month.]]>UKHMAMon, 08 Feb 2016 09:16:30 +0000Maritime Jobs for Future Generationshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article657
Announcing the theme ‘Maritime Jobs for Future Generations’, Seafarers UK has launched its Seafarers Awareness Week 2016 campaign, with the focus on promoting maritime career opportunities, both at sea and ashore.

Seafarers Awareness Week 2016 takes place from June 20 to 26 throughout the UK. It aims to build on the success of last year’s awareness-raising campaign, which saw more than one hundred businesses and organisations support the annual initiative.

Seafarers Awareness Week provides a platform for events and activities around the UK, combining a host of local media opportunities, with industry and individuals working together to raise the profile of seafaring and maritime jobs at sea and ashore.

Addressing the official Seafarers Awareness Week (www.seafarersweek.uk) launch event at Trinity House in London, which was attended by 125 maritime guests, Commodore Barry Bryant CVO RN, Director General of Seafarers UK (www.seafarers.uk), underlined the importance of the whole sector working together to showcase the maritime world: ‘Many of you will be all too aware of the phrase ‘sea blindness’, and the tendency of the Great British public to be blissfully unaware of the fact that we remain an island nation, or that 95% of our trade comes by sea. Our 2016 campaign will be focused on young people and making them aware of the career opportunities available in seagoing and the maritime industries more generally.’

After reminding the gathering of the wide range of the charity’s welfare work, Commodore Bryant continued: ‘As far as Seafarers UK is concerned, working with young people and promoting the maritime careers message is a very strong theme to add to our general awareness campaigning. Maritime is a great story, but too much time is spent preaching to the converted. We need to bring all the various initiatives together, reach out beyond our sometimes introspective world, and we now really hope that the UK Maritime Growth Study will be that catalyst. I am sure that many of our organisations contributed to the study, and it was good to see that over half the recommendations referred, in broad terms, to people - the need for them, what the industries should be offering them, the skills they need, and how we get all this across to them. Despite it being a global industry, it is absolutely essential that we maintain a strong cadre of UK seafarers.’

Commodore Bill Walworth CBE RFA, Chairman of the Maritime Skills Alliance* added: ‘The Maritime Skills Alliance sets and promotes skills standards for the UK’s maritime sector. Much of our work to date has been devoted to developing a suite of interlocking standards and qualifications which enable employees to progress both within their specialism and between sectors. The Maritime Growth Study’s aim is to increase the UK share of the global market, increasing the size of the UK flag and the service sector, including ship management, brokerage, insurance, law and accountancy. The amount of seaborne trade is set to double by 2030. 113,000 UK people are directly employed in the sector and this grows to 240,000 if you add ports, shipping and business services. The Department for Transport forecasts a shortfall of around 3,500 trained UK Deck and Engineer Officers at sea by 2021 and these are needed not just at sea but in the service sector, where qualified seafarers will continue to be in demand.’

The industry has welcomed the strong focus on skills in the UK Maritime Growth Study report published in September 2015, with nine of the 18 recommendations relating to skills and education.

Commodore Walworth continued: ‘The Maritime Growth Study recommendations very much align with the Seafarers Awareness Week theme and the ambition of Seafarers UK to get everyone to understand that we are a maritime nation, to make sure we have the skills to excel, and to make sure that the next generation sees the terrific range of career opportunities. There is much more to be done to align the good work going on around us, but we are making progress. The Maritime Skills Alliance is delighted to have Seafarers UK giving the industry a lead via Seafarers Awareness Week.’

Seafarers Awareness Week will, as in previous years, be a pan-sector campaign, promoting the Royal Navy and the commercial fishing industry, as well as all branches of the Merchant Navy, including passenger vessels, plus workboats and superyachts. Sponsored this year by Inmarsat, Seafarers Awareness Week will also publicise helpful UK sources of employment information, including Careers at Sea, the Maritime Skills Alliance and Seavision. ]]>UKHMATue, 09 Feb 2016 14:27:49 +0000CCTV to be Installed at Guernsey’s Fish Quayhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article658
Security is being improved at Guernsey’s Fish Quay after a series of thefts of scallops and other seafood.Harbour master Capt Chad Murray said improved CCTV would be installed.He said: "It’s very disappointing people will stoop that low and attempt to take what is essentially the livelihood of our fishermen."Fishermen first called for improved security in 2012 after thefts, and issue then considered in the harbour master plan.The harbour is already patrolled 24 hours a day and some CCTV is in place, but the coverage in Fish Quay has been patchy.

Capt Chad Murray said CCTV had been chosen ahead of other options the harbour authority had consideredCapt Murray said "lots of options" had been considered including gating Fish Quay, but that idea had proved unpopular."[Now] we’re looking at installing a series of cameras to cover all the berths of the Fish Quay so we can see people coming on and off the pontoons, but also people approaching by sea," he said.Installing the cameras would cost up to £10,000, he said.Deputy Barry Paint, president of Guernsey Fishermen’s Association, said it would hopefully end a problem that had been around for a number of years.Guernsey Police are investigating the thefts, one of which occurred on the night of 1 December with 300 scallops worth about £200 taken.Capt Murray said there were plans to invest £50,000 to upgrade the Fish Quay "to enhance the railing, land ties and facilities" where it "may have been neglected over the last few years".]]>UKHMAFri, 12 Feb 2016 11:10:38 +0000Bantry Bay Development to Start This Monthhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article659
The project, long-awaited, will provide a huge boost to tourism and marine industries in the West Cork town.

BAM Civil Ltd was yesterday appointed main contractor for phase one of the the inner harbour development.

It involves the creation of a 20-berth marina on quayside pontoons, plus dredging to a depth of 4m, which will allow vessels access the inner harbour in all tidal conditions.

The main pier is to be widened and extended while a 4,000sq m public recreational amenity will be created from reclaiming land adjacent to the railway pier, also in the inner harbour.

In addition, further land reclamation of 2,300sq m will be used to build a new car park in the area.

It marks the start of a regeneration project, in keeping with the total Inner Harbour Development Scheme developed in 2012 by the former Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners.

Funding for the scheme has come from both the Department of Transport and the Port of Cork, with the latter replacing the abolished harbour commissioners in Bantry.

Funding set aside for the former harbour body will be used for the development.

Along with providing a more sheltered harbour environment and marina with increased water depth, the development will also see the pier facilities improved and a new quayside area which will support and promote fishing and tourism activities in the Bantry area.

Construction is expected to commence towards the end of this month, or early March at the latest and it is hoped the project will be completed by autumn 2017.

Banty Bay Port Company and Port of Cork chairman John Mullins said BAM civil is the largest civil engineering and public works contractor in Ireland and Bantry Bay Port Company was excited to be working with it on the new inner harbour development.

Port of Cork chief executive Brendan Keating said the joint investment would bring major benefits to the area.

“We anticipate this development will provide a critical kick-start for the marine leisure industry,” he said.]]>UKHMAFri, 12 Feb 2016 16:51:02 +0000Lerwick Harbour Works Forge Aheadhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article660
The early completion of the 110-metre section at Holmsgarth North by contractor Tulloch Developments clears the way for the demolition of the nearby former Shell jetty which has been used by fishing vessels for layby.

These and other vessels will instead be able to use the new section prior to the overall project completion in the autumn.

Temporary lighting will now be erected and Port Authority staff will install a bespoke fendering system.

Holmsgarth North is one of several current developments, totalling around £30 million, for completion in a year which has seen a rise of just 1% in port charges.

Over the years, Lerwick’s charges have risen in line with inflation, with no additional increases sought to fund developments.

The Holmsgarth North project and a quay extension at Dales Voe for the offshore industry are both backed by Bank of Scotland funding, with the latter also supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The completed 800-metre-plus, L-shaped Holmsgarth North jetty will provide deeper berthing – ultimately 10 metres – and more working area for the fishing fleet, while the outer arm will create a dock sheltering a planned new white fish market.

The outer arm will also be suitable for berthing offshore industry vessels and cruise ships.

Deep-water facilities at Dales Voe are being expanded in support of offshore industry subsea developments and decommissioning, with the 12.5-metres deep quay being extended 75-metres to 130-metres.

It will have a load-bearing capacity of 60 tonnes per square metre, unmatched in Scotland, and will be complete later this year.

Sandra Laurenson added: “By expanding our capacity and ensuring our competitiveness, we are underpinning Lerwick’s advantages – natural and developed – as a location supporting the fishing and offshore industries in the surrounding waters of the northern North Sea and Atlantic.”]]>UKHMAFri, 12 Feb 2016 17:01:25 +0000Felixstowe to Offer Container weighing servicehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article661
The Port of Felixstowe is to offer a container-weighing service to exporters.The Port of Felixstowe is to launch a container weighing service to help UK shippers comply with new international regulations due to come into effect on July 1.

An amendment to the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention will require every export container carrying cargo to have its weight verified before it is loaded on to a ship.

The Port of Felixstowe, which is Britain’s largest container port and has played a leading role in a consultation carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the implementation of the new rules in the UK, will offer a weighing service for all containers arriving at the port by road or rail.

Stephen Abraham, chief operating officer of Port of Felixstowe, said: “We have met with many customers and from their feedback it is clear that there is still a lot of uncertainty amongst exporters about the new rules.

“The rules have the potential to cause significant disruption to export supply chains. To help avoid this, we have decided to provide a service where export containers can be weighed at the port before being loaded.”

He added: “We will provide further details about how the weighing service will work in good time to ensure all exporters can be compliant by the time the new rules come into force.”]]>UKHMAFri, 12 Feb 2016 17:16:38 +0000Larne Harbour has Easier access with a new Dual Carriagewayhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article662
Top team: Laura Gilmour, port manager responsible for operationsAmong the salty sea dogs and burly truckers frequenting the Port of Larne, two glamourous local women ensure that the P&O-owned harbour runs like clockwork. Laura Gilmour and Lisa Lamont oversee an extremely well-organised operation, which makes sailing to Scotland a hassle-free pleasure — especially compared to the continually annoying process of flying.

And with seven sailings per day and two busy ferries to manage, the two Larne ladies have their work cut out for them. Port manager Laura started off with P&O on work experience almost 30 years ago. Now one of only three female harbour bosses in the UK, she’s responsible for operations and customer service.

“Sometimes I think I prefer the male-dominated environment to working with lots of other females, although sometimes men can be just as sensitive as women,” laughs Laura.

“I have worked with most of my male colleagues for some time, which has allowed us to get to know one another, and I believe this makes the interaction more easy-going and relaxed and allows trust to build, which is really important in all relationships.

“My male colleagues have always shown me great support throughout my career — and I wouldn’t change it.”

Married to Thomas, a sales manager for an oil company, Laura is a radiant presence in the passenger port terminal, a relaxed environment with a very good cafe (great cappuccino; delicious home-made wheaten bread) and a quirky little shop, selling kitschy presents, from Irish blessings to Rubik’s cubes.

She has seen many changes at the port over the last three decades — and a few celebrities passing through.

“Robbie Coltrane came in an open-top car, just on a visit, and we’ve had Dolly Parton and Nathan Carter coming in on their tour buses,” she says.

“I enjoy working with all our customers and we do get some unusual requests.

“We had one couple recently who wanted to be married by the captain - it didn’t happen in the end - and a team from The One Show on rickshaws for Children In Need, who had to keep going while onboard, as part of their challenge. We had good fun with the presenters, Alex Jones and Matt Baker.

"We also have funerals coming through quite regularly. We liaise with the undertakers for the transfer of the coffin and organise for arrangements for relatives to follow the hearse. We keep them separate from the rest of the passengers coming through, to allow them privacy - it can be hectic in bike racing season, for example, but we have a very efficient check-in and loading system, so things tend to run very smoothly."

Laura’s colleague Lisa Lamont (33) is in charge of load control at the port, working often overnight - from her own well-heated hut on the quay. She lives locally with her husband, Ian, an aircraft engineer with Bombardier Aerospace, and their eight year-old son, Cameron.

"I thought I was hearing things one day when the supervisor called through to say there was a lion coming through in a van," Lisa recalls. "I asked to see it - it was huge. It was so amazing to see one close-up. It was in a cage and it growled at me.

"It was going to a zoo for breeding. We’ve had all sorts of animals, including giraffes."

Lisa first started with P&O at 19, as the only female in the freight department.

"I think it’s interesting that the majority of things in all our homes have - as part of their journey - probably travelled on a P&O ferry: the food in your cupboard, the sofa you sit on, the paint on your walls; the compost on your plants," she says.

"When people think of a ferry service, it’s usually associated with car passengers and holiday travel, and the commercial freight side doesn’t really feature. But that’s a huge part of it and no two shipping loads are the same."

The P&O ferry route has become increasingly convenient since the opening of the A8 dual carriageway, which has greatly improved the connectivity of Larne to Belfast. It’s now really easy to head from Belfast down the A8 to Larne in just 20 minutes.

At two hours, the speed of the crossing between Larne and Cairnryan is impressive. It’s the shortest possible sea route to the mainland and at seven sailings per day, that’s more than any other route across the Irish Sea.]]>UKHMAThu, 18 Feb 2016 16:58:29 +0000Peterhead Harbour’s New Boss to Push Ahead with Redevelopment Schemehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article663
Project manager Ian Laidlaw will succeed John Wallace as Peterhead Port Authority (PPA) chief executive in the summer.

And he said last night that delivering a major revamp of the harbour and securing the town’s economic future was his top priority.

Mr Laidlaw, who will become chief executive designate on June 1 and move into the hotseat the following month, said he had “big shoes” to fill but was relishing the challenge.Related Articles

PPA is aiming to deepen Peterhead’s inner harbours and build a new fish market, allowing an already booming port to attract even bigger boats and handle up to 9,000 boxes of fish every day.

There is also the chance to reclaim 43,000sq yards of land for further development using material dredged from the harbour deepening.

But the plans all hinge on securing a grant from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

Mr Wallace has said the new auction hall and other improvements will “future-proof” Peterhead port for generations to come.

Last night, his successor said a successful EMFF application would pave the way for a major transformation, and he was excited by the chance to drive the project forward.

He added: “John is a great guy and his are big shoes to fill but he has left the port in fantastic shape.

“I want to see this project progressed and completed on time and on budget.”

Mr Laidlaw, 54, said he had no idea when PPA would find out if its bid for cash has been successful, but work could be completed within 18 months to make sure the port – Europe’s biggest for white fish – remains at the forefront of the industry for the rest of the century.

His elevation to the port’s top job continues a working relationship with PPA and before that Peterhead Bay Authority stretching back more than 20 years.

Currently based in Edinburgh, where he runs his own project management business, he and his wife Alison are now planning a move to the north-east.

Mr Laidlaw was key in delivering PPA’s £33million Smith Quay development in 2011 on time and on budget, and he was also involved in the earlier construction of the port’s Princess Royal jetty.

An estimated £170million of business passed through Peterhead harbour in 2014, and independent research has shown it supports 9,500 jobs and brings in £800million to the Scottish economy.]]>UKHMAThu, 18 Feb 2016 17:24:06 +0000£10 Million Investment for Dundeehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article664
Forth Ports has outlined plans for the largest investment in the history of the Port of Dundee.

The ports owner is to invest more than £10 million to create a new quayside with “heavy lift” capability as it seeks to win more work in the North Sea oil and gas and offshore wind sectors.

Edinburgh-based Forth Ports said the privately-funded investment will see the development of the quayside at the east end of the port, connecting to the existing Prince Charles Wharf.

Chief executive Charles Hammond said the port was “ideally placed to service the needs of North Sea oil and gas, decommissioning and Scotland’s offshore wind sector over the coming years”.

He added: “The port’s existing skills base and location, combined with its riverside berths, deep water and rock river bed, put the port in a key position to become a hub for these sectors for construction, operations and maintenance and for decommissioning.

“Our investment also puts Dundee in a position to benefit from offshore renewable projects such as Neart na Gaoithe, which has the potential to deliver cost-efficient renewable energy and economic benefits for Dundee. We are committed to investing in the port to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to support these industries and for the city of Dundee to fully capitalise on the significant opportunities they present.”

Work on the project has already kicked off and construction is expected to take 18 months to complete. Once finished, the strengthened quayside will be 200 metres longer than at present. It will also be able to handle large-scale marine projects such as offshore anchor and chain servicing and offshore wind turbine assembly and deployment.

]]>UKHMAThu, 18 Feb 2016 17:31:18 +00002016 Set to be a Record Year for Cruise Ships at Port of Tynehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article665
Purpose-built cruise berth, Northumbrian Quay, is capable of accommodating 93% of global fleet of cruise ships

A record number of cruise ships are scheduled to arrive and depart from Port of Tyne’s berths this year, the business has confirmed.

A total of 42 cruise ships will be calling at the Port’s International Passenger Terminal in an almost even balance of turnaround cruises starting or finishing at the port and transit cruises catering for those visiting the region’s attractions.

Six ships making inaugural calls, and major cruise lines including Disney and the German-operated AIDA will be calling at the port for the first time.

In another first, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ flagship Balmoral will be calling Port of Tyne home, with 12 cruise calls.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages will likewise be offering 10 sailings from the port, while Saga Cruises will return with the first call of Saga Pearl II.

Port of Tyne chief executive officer Andrew Moffat said: “The Port of Tyne is the closest UK Port to the Baltics, the Fjords and Russia and offers easy access to the Canary Islands, The Azores, Portugal, Morocco and Spain.

Oceania Cruises’ Nautica ship will return to the Port of Tyne in June 2016“The Tyne is not only an excellent choice to start or finish a cruise but it can rival many European ports in terms of easy access to world-class tourist attractions all within one hour from Port.

“We hope many people will take advantage of this and spend a day or two in the region before they set off on their cruise.”

The Port of Tyne is one of the UK’s major deep-sea ports, considered a vital trading gateway to world-wide markets

It operates five business areas, including bulk and conventional cargo, car terminals, cruise and ferry, logistics and a commercial property portfolio.

The port provides renowned facilities for vessels of more than 300m in length and up to 10m in draft at Northumbrian Quay, its purpose-built cruise berth, which is capable of accommodating 93% of the global fleet of cruise ships and is ideally placed to handle all cruise calls.

Vessels in excess of 215m can also be accommodated at Whitehill Point. the Port’s second cruise ship berth.

Nolan Gray, Port of Tyne business development director, said: “With 17 years of cruise expertise, diverse destinations to choose from and an award-winning passenger terminal it’s easy to see why cruise operators like Disney Cruise Line are including the Port of Tyne in their first ever UK itineraries and why bookings direct from the Port are on the up.

“The International Passenger Terminal is well equipped to handle a wide variety of cruise calls and the recent decision by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to move their flagship Balmoral to the Port of Tyne as its home port for 2016/17 provides further flexibility for travellers wanting to start their cruise holiday from their local port.”]]>UKHMASat, 20 Feb 2016 18:39:11 +0000More Pontoons Planned for St Andrews Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article666
And there is some urgency this year, as the Trust now has a waiting list for berths for the first time in many yearsAlong with doubling the number of berths, the Trust plans to install water and power facilities for visiting yachtsmen.

The Trust has applied to St Andrews’ Common Good Fund for £25,000 towards this element of the redevelopment, which is estimated to cost around £120,000.

Last year the Common Good Fund handed out their largest grant ever to the Harbour Trust – £15,000 towards the first phase of the work.

That work was completed in last summer last year and Cameron Rae, chairman of the Harbour Trust described it as having been “highly successful”.

“The boat owners are really pleased with it,” he said, “and the harbour has a waiting list for the first time in many years.”

Dr Rae explained that as well a seeking funding from the Common Good Fund, the Trust would be looking at other funding streams for the harbour, including European funding.

“We hope to get this development done as soon as we can,” Dr Rae continued, “we hope to get the funding in place this calendar year and then the work can happen very quickly after that.

“It will all depend on what funding is available to us and what we can access,” he added.

The development already has planning permission from Fife Council.

The new pontoons will continue along the west wall of the harbour where the first phase of pontoons are.

Already a small, but growing, number of pleasure craft are based in the sheltered waters of the inner basin.

The harbour is believed to date back to the 16th century and is now owned by the Harbour Trust which was reconstituted in 2010.

Its role is to ensure the harbour and its facilities are maintained, and that use of the harbour is controlled safely and efficiently .

As well as the safe operation of the harbour, the Trust aims to improve the harbour and its surrounding area to benefit residents, the local community and visiting users.

Last year then Trust chairman Brian Paterson described the harbour is one of the “little gems” in St Andrews.

“St Andrews’ only access is by road and we would like to see it by sea as well.”

Mr Paterson promised: “The pontoon will give people access to the town – and be accessible for the less able sailor.”

Prior to the installation of the pontoons, the last major work undertaken at the harbour was in 2013 when new gates were installed after the original 200-year-old gates were destroyed in a freak storm a year earlier.

Then the Harbour Trust raised more than £100,000 to renew the gates.

]]>UKHMASat, 20 Feb 2016 18:47:35 +0000Historic Brixham Vessel Returns to Seahttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article667
The 1924-built sailing vessel Provident will be making her comeback this May after being taken out of service for more than a year by her current owners the Trinity Sailing Foundation.

The traditional gaff-rigged Brixham Trawler — which forms part of UK National Historic Fleet, a status which ranks them alongside the likes of HMS Victory and the Cutty Sark — was stood down by the charity last year. The tough decision was taken after her trustees decided that it would be unwise to let her go to sea with her failing and elderly Gardner engine. As a small charitable organisation, Trinity needed time to fundraise a huge sum to pay for the new mechanics and associated work.

While the vital fundraising took place, Provident was moored on a buoy out in Brixham Harbour, stripped of her masts, sails, spars, soft-furnishings, electronics, and furniture. It wasn’t long before people took to social media to express their concern that her best days were over.

Trinity Sailing’s sales and marketing Manager, Harry Gottschalk, said: ’We had several calls from concerned people, especially last summer, when people were sailing in and out of Brixham Harbour, as she did look very sad moored out there on her own, stripped bare.

’We were also made aware that people had uploaded photos of her to social media sites, without her masts, worried that she wasn’t being cared for. In reality she was fine; we just stripped her back to protect her as much as possible while operations staff were regularly going out to run checks on her.

’We appreciate that a lot of people have fond memories of sailing on Provident, so it was nice to reassure those who were concerned that she was okay and would be back to her best.’

After the Second World War, Provident arrived in Salcombe, in 1951, as the founding vessel of the Island Cruising Club where she remained until 1999 when she started working from Brixham as part of the newly-formed Trinity Sailing Foundation. She was built on the River Dart, which was by then owned by John Sanders. She was a replacement for an earlier vessel of the same name, sunk during the First World War by a German U-boat. She fished out of Brixham for 10 years before being sold to a wealthy American and converted to a private yacht.

Provident arrived back in Brixham at the end of February, after being kept out of the water over winter at Mashfords of Cremyll boatyard.

Ben Wheatley, Trinity Sailing’s operations manager, said: ’Some of the staff there actually remembered putting her failing Gardner engine in place when it was first fitted into Provident, all those years ago.

’Following months of painstaking work by the yard, helped when possible by Trinity staff, she was ready for the big re-launch. After short test of the shiny new engine — a Perkins 215c — she was brought back to Brixham to carry out the exciting task of re-stepping the masts, repainting the hull, and getting the vessel in fine fettle for her first voyage in quite some time.

’We trust that the new engine will give us long years of quiet, reliable service and help us steer towards a bright future for both Provident and Trinity Sailing.’

Provident’s return begins with an eight-night voyage starting Saturday, May 28, firstly taking part in the Brixham 102-year-old Brixham Heritage Sailing Regatta, then sailing along the Devon and Dorset Coastline before joining around 100 other traditionally rigged vessels for the Yarmouth Gaffers Rally. After which she has a busy sailing season right through to October, sailing to the like of Brittany and the Channel Islands.

]]>UKHMAMon, 22 Feb 2016 10:49:52 +0000Work Starts on Thames Tideway Tunnelhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article668
Work has started on the construction of one the UK’s largest civil engineering projects, the Thames Tideway Tunnel (aka the ’Super Sewer’) a 25km tunnel running under the River Thames through west and central London.

The tunnel is designed to channel and control between 40 and 50 million cubic metres of raw sewage that currently overflows into the river each year. The construction of the new tunnel, estimated to cost £4.2bn, and taking seven years to complete, will replace the existing sewage system, built by Peter Bazalgette in the 19th century, which is still in good order but can no longer cope with the increased demands of the modern city.

The Tideway Tunnel will intercept sewage from the 34 most polluting Combined Sewage Overflow (CSOs), before transferring it to Beckton in east London for treatment. During construction, Tideway is aiming to transport 90% of spoil from the main tunnel by river. There will be extensive barge movements downriver on every tide with some sites shipping several barge loads per day.

The whole project, which will involve 70 worksites, including 11 riverside construction sites, extends from Acton to Beckton and has been divided into three sectors, with different consortia of contractors for each area.

The West section will be developed by a Joint venture of BAM Nuttall, Morgan Sindall and Balfour Beatty Group. The Central section involves a joint venture of Ferrovial Agroman UK and Laing O’Rourke Construction. The East section is contracted to a joint venture of Costain, Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Bachy Soletanche. Amey, the System Integrator, will be providing process control and communication equipment and software systems. Around £1.1 billion of the Thames Tideway Tunnel’s construction cost will be financed by Thames Water from increased water rates, and £3.1 billion by Bazalgette Tunnel Ltd.

After more than five years of consultation, planning and the awarding of contracts, the first visible signs of construction activity were apparent late in 2015 around Blackfriars Bridge in central London.

Red7 Marine’s jack up barge Haven Seaway was one of the first vessels to be deployed, starting on the construction of a new pier to replace the existing Blackfriars pier, which is being moved to make way for work under and around the road and rail bridges. The relocated pier is due to be completed this year to serve as a busy interchange for the Thames Clipper river bus services. Adjacent to the pier was moored the ex- HMS President, the 98-year-old WW1 veteran Q ship, which has now been tugged down to the Medway for restoration. The President’s mooring has also been removed.

Haven Seaway was hired by Volker Stevin, who required a jack up barge (JUB) to fit between the Blackfriars rail bridge and the road bridge, a space which is further obstructed by the remaining piers from the dismantled London and Chatham Railway bridge. Once on site the JUB had to be spun 180 degrees so that it could be moved into position between the old bridge foundations and the road bridge, a gap of 17m. The Seaway has a beam of 15m so was the ideal choice for this project.

R7M commenced the mobilisation work at their Ipswich facility, shortening the 19m legs to 13m to aid safe transit of the Thames bridges, while 8m leg extensions were prepared for installation once on location. A 90t telescopic crane was also loaded. The GPS Battler towed the JUB to Northfleet, from where the CPBS tug Mad Dog, Multicat Shake Dog and smaller workboats took over delivery upriver.

A passage plan was developed by R7M working closely with the Port of London Authority (PLA) and Volker to allow for air draught under the bridges and water depth for the increased draught of the Seaway. The plan was to start the final transit from Tower Bridge on a neap tide 2 hours after HW, arriving on site 3 hours after HW, leaving enough time to install the leg extensions. It was critical to have the legs installed before the next HW to be able to jack clear of the water.

Despite early concerns that there would be a shortage of craft to meet the demands of the job, it seems that most London-based tug and barge operators are gearing up for the increased workload, with several newly-acquired vessels expected to appear in the near future. However, according to one seasoned boat operator, there is likely to be a shortage of qualified labour in the early days. With this in mind, the Thames Training Alliance (TTA) was set-up to help address the increasing demand for trained skippers and crew

The PLA has been working closely with Thames Water for more than five years developing plans for the tunnel and issuing river works licenses. A dedicated harbour master has been appointed to oversee the work and additional staff have been recruited in their planning, environmental and hydrographic teams. The harbourmaster’s main role has been to ensure that navigational safety and environmental issues are properly addressed.

To help ensure the safety of all river traffic, the PLA will increase co-ordination of barge movements from the navigation control centre at Woolwich, provide local traffic control from launches where needed and monitor compliance with conditions in the river works licences. The PLA has stated it will do everything possible to mitigate the impact on river activities, although there will inevitably be some disruption during the tunnel’s construction.

A ROTTING vessel will finally be lifted from Irvine Harbour - over six months after the council first tried to shift it.

Over the last year, North Ayrshire Council have tried numerous times to remove the MV Zenobia, a boat which ran aground in the Harbour more than 13 years ago.

But their efforts last summer failed and the boat has continued to remain an eyesore in the Harbour.

This week, however, the council are hoping to finally get rid of the cursed vessel once and for all after managing to raise it from the Harbour.

It is now sitting in the slipway of the harbour and is in the process of being dismantled.

For years NAC have faced repeated calls to remove the boat by Irvine residents and the council decided to take responsibilty for the Zenobia last year.

But as the Times previously told, the council’s attempts to move it last summer had to be aborted due to safety concerns.

The council are hopeful that the vessel will be broken down and disposed of for good by the end of the week.

A spokesperson for NAC confirmed to the Times that the Zenobia was now being broken down into parts, which would then be disposed.

This would in turn prevent environmental dangers such as the spilling of fuel.]]>UKHMAThu, 03 Mar 2016 11:29:30 +0000MMO Approves Dover Community Directorshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article670
Neil Wiggins and Samantha Parker have now officially joined Dover Harbour Board as the voice of the people for the Port of Dover.

This comes after the Harbour Revision Order, which was approved by the MMO, received an objection from Dover Town Council - sparking controversy that the council was responsible for the delay.

This objection has now been branded ’trivial’ by the MMO report.

MP for Dover, Charlie Elphicke said: ’It is fantastic news that the MMO has confirmed that Neil Wiggins and Samantha Parker can now join the board. With the powers to invest in the future and the port community fund, Dover is fast moving to become a community led port. Today witnesses a powerful step forward for our community.’The long awaited order will allow for key reforms at the Port of Dover to take place.

Community Directors Neil Wiggins and Samantha Parker will finally be able to take their seats after they were appointed in 2014 but have not been able to take up their posts due to delays.

Samantha Parker was also given the role of non-executive community director at the Port of Dover Mr Elphicke said: ’It’s all a far cry from the dark days of five years ago when we feared all was lost. We will never forget how our port was set to be sold to the French or whoever.’No one ever thought we’d stop the sell off. But we did. And no-one thought we’d ever see through port reform. Yet we have. We’ve come a long way together in five short years. This is another defining moment for Dover.’

Neil Wiggins, now official community director, said: ’I welcome the announcement by the MMO, the end to a lengthy period of uncertainty and the beginning of a new era. There is a great deal of work to do and I’m looking forward to getting on with the job.’

The MMO report states: ’The remaining two points of objection appear to the MMO to be inconsequential or ”trivial” for the purposes of the 1964 Act.]]>UKHMAThu, 03 Mar 2016 11:36:12 +0000New Great Yarmouth Port Chief Appointedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article671
Richard Goffin - new director of Great Yarmouth Port Company Limited trading as Peel Ports Great Yarmouth.In the outer harbour surrounded by Seajacks vessels.

The confirmation that Great Yarmouth port is to be the construction base for the £2.5bn East Anglia One windfarm could barely have come at a better time for Richard Goffin.

Great Yarmouth Port Company Limited trading as Peel Ports Great Yarmouth.View of the outer harbour with a Seajacks vessel Leviathan, Great Yarmouth Power Station and Gleadell grain loader.

As the new director at the port, it’s his job to navigate its route to prosperity as many of its traditional major customer from the oil and gas industry face the worst downturn for a generation.

But the renewables sector could offer hope for the port and surrounding supply chain, with the multi-million pound deal announced today hoped to be the first of many.

“With the Enterprise Zone and Assisted Area Status we have got all the tools: we just need to join up as a group,” he said.

And he believes the under-pressure smaller businesses surrounding the harbour must survive, to ensure it remains attractive to the larger vessels which are essential to the port’s future - and ensure it has an edge over its rivals.

“Great Yarmouth has a high volume of smaller companies,” he said. “They are the ones that are going to be hardest pushed during the downturn.”

Mr Goffin, a former financial controller at the business, was promoted the top post after the port was sold by Gatwick Airport-owner Global Infrastructure Partners to Peel Ports Group at the end of last year for an estimated £50m.

The deal took place as oil prices slumped to around $36 a barrel - down from its peak of $110 in 2014. Gas prices have also fallen about 30pc over the last year, down to 31 pence per therm.

While Aberdeen is struggling, the effect locally has also been severe.

Richard Goffin, 37, joined the port company eight years ago after a career which saw him work at Unilever, RBS, Birdseye Iglo Group and Group Lotus.

The father-of-two, from Caister, has taken the role initially in an interim basis for six months during the transition period, but is hopeful it will be made permanent.

He said the business, which turned over about £10.8m for the year ending December 2014 and employs 65 people, would benefit from being part of a specialist port group.

“They rely on me to run the business, and with that comes responsibility over the results,” he said. “It’s within our gift to make it successful.”

He added turnover was expected to grow marginally this year, and improve further for 2017 onwards when more wind farms began to develop.

“Some smaller companies have gone bust, and people have been asked to take unpaid leave,” said Mr Goffin. “If we start to lose the large industry support companies that feed the smaller companies we will lose the supply chain benefits we have compared to other locations.”

He said he believed larger companies, such as Weatherford which recently announced it would be closing its Great Yarmouth plant in Gapton Hall industrial estate, would be back when things picked up.

And Mr Goffin said the Peel Ports Group had an appetite to invest and was keen to partner with customers to improve the port.

“They have a much longer-term view on things,” he said. “If an opportunity arises to invest in Great Yarmouth they will. We are looking for that opportunity.”

Eastern PowerhouseMr Goffin has echoed calls for government support such as tax cuts for the offshore energy sector, but also help in the decommissioning of redundant gas platforms, to avoid contracts being lost to European rivals.

He also urged organisations in the East to work together, and borrow methods from the so-called Northern Powerhouse to boost jobs and bring more businesses to the area. “Great Yarmouth has got to be more vocal,” he said. “We have got some successful companies but we need to shout about it.”

He said Peel Ports wanted to get more involved, and offer a more end-to-end service by working with firms around the harbour.

And diversifying into other markets, such as biomass, could provide a cushion while energy prices are low.

The port handles a range of cargoes including aggregates, cement, dry and liquid bulks, fertilisers, forest products, grain and minerals.

“The benefit of Great Yarmouth is most service providers are on our doorstep,” he added. “We are very lucky as long as those businesses survive [the downturn].”]]>UKHMAThu, 03 Mar 2016 12:20:56 +0000Port Soderick Bought by Heritage Great Britainhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article672
A long-derelict former tourist hotspot has been sold to the company that owns some of the UK’s best known landmarks.

Port Soderick bay has been purchased by Heritage Great Britain, owner of Land’s End and John O’Groats.

The deal went through in October but has not been publicised until now.

It says it is working to identify ‘suitable and sustainable’ options and will outline potential schemes for the ‘destination’ later this year.

Until then, it has been working to improve security and carry out some structural repairs.

Heritage Great Britain declined to disclose details of any of the options but it is understood that any scheme will be sympathetic to the location and heritage of the site and will be a combination of leisure and residential use.

A spokesman for the company said: ‘Heritage Great Britain PLC has acquired ownership of Port Soderick and has already taken action to improve the security of the site and make good any immediate structural defects.

‘The company has now engaged a local architect and local consultants to identify suitable and sustainable opportunities for the bay and are already working with the island authorities to achieve such goals.

‘Heritage Great Britain looks forward to outlining potential schemes for the destination later this year.’

Port Soderick, once famed for its pleasure grounds and beach, represents a ‘unique coastal development opportunity’, said the new owner.

Announcing the sale on its website, Heritage Great Britain said is ‘working with award-winning Isle of Man architects and Isle of Man government officials to bring Port Soderick back to life for the local economy in the new millennia’.

‘Heritage Great Britain sees this project as being yet another venture that will be developed with the highest quality in mind,’ it added.

Based at Liverpool’s Albert Dock, Heritage Great Britain’s portfolio also includes Snowdon Mountain Railway, The Needles landmark attraction in the Isle of Wight, and the Lightwater Valley family theme park in North Yorkshire.

The company, which welcomes more than 2.5 million annual visitors to its sites, is also the owner and operator of Mattel Play! Liverpool, a new £1.5m attraction based within Albert Dock’s Grand Hall, which features the world of Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam.

Heritage Great Britain invested £500,000 at Land’s End following a joint venture agreement with world-renowned animators Aardman to create a ‘Shaun the Sheep Experience’ there.

Port Soderick beach and its adjoining glen became popular with tourists from the 1860s, reached by boat from Douglas and subsequently by the Douglas Head Marine Drive tramway.

The brick building that now stands on the site was constructed in the 1960s after Douglas Corporation bought the property in 1956 and made extensive renovations. Tourism continued until landslides forced the closure of Marine Drive to vehicles in 1976.

The building came back to life in the mid-1990s as the Anchor pub, under the ownership of celebrity chef Kevin Woodford.

It was sold in 2002 to a private owner and has lain empty ever since. The 10-acre site was put on the market as a ‘unique coastal development opportunity’ with UK commercial property agency GVA in 2014.

Land’s End and John O’Groats were both owned by island businessman Graham Ferguson Lacey for a period in the early to mid-1990s.

Photo of Port Soderick circa 1966]]>UKHMAFri, 04 Mar 2016 09:21:37 +0000New Study into History of Plymouth Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article673
University academics have published a paper detailing the historical importance of the city’s waters and their continuing impact on science, travel and ecology.Dr Antony Knights, Lecturer in Marine Ecology and lead author, described Plymouth as a ’hub for marine and maritime science’ in his joint paper Plymouth - A World Harbour through the ages.The study details how the city has successfully balanced marine research, wildlife sustainability and human use of the harbour as it has changed over time.The long history of marine research in Plymouth, associated with the Marine Biological Association (MBA), the University and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), has led to over 8400 species of marine life being described - which is nearly three times as many as in other large harbours such as Sydney Harbour, Australia and the Ria de Vigo, Spain. The paper adds that the geographical location of Plymouth and its waters enables it to house a number of rare or unusual species for the UK, several of which are at the edge or near the edge of their geographic ranges.Dr Knights went on to explain the rich shipping, naval and tourism industries made possible by the city’s location and how, since the Bronze Age (~2500-800 BC), the area has been exploited for its natural resources.Millbay Dock has, over the years, been a commercial dock, coaling station, shipbuilding yard and point of embarkation for ocean-going liners, while Her Majesty’s Naval Base in Devonport is the largest naval base in Western Europe.Dr Knights and his colleagues concluded by saying that although traffic through the waters has increased, the environmental awareness has remained high, and they cited the internationally leading studies on contamination of the marine environment, especially from microplastics, and their presence in the surface waters and on the shorelines of the River Tamar.The study appears in the journal Regional Studies in Marine Science, and Dr Knights said he and his colleagues wanted to explore how Plymouth came to be home to such a wide variety of water activity as part of the international collaborative World Harbour Project.’Plymouth is renowned for its maritime activity, but I wanted to explore just how important the harbour has been throughout the city’s history,’ he said.’It is a fascinating journey through time and fantastic that so many species, water activities and commercial opportunities are able to co-exist in this environment. We are also very lucky in Plymouth to have a great deal of marine research taking place, not only at the University but at PML, MBA and other world-renowned organisations which are based in the city.’We should all be proud that the city is a world leader in marine and maritime science, as well as a stunning location with a very rich history.’]]>UKHMAFri, 04 Mar 2016 09:31:44 +0000German World War II Torpedo found at Scapa Flowhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article674
It was also filmed using an underwater remote-operated vehicle (ROV). Footage showed a seven-meter long suspected torpedo and Northern Diving Group (NDG) were soon alerted to the incident.Lieutenant Commander Tony Hampshire who is Commanding Officer of NDG and who attended the scene, said: “After examining the video footage of the item and conducting dives to inspect it on the seabed we believe the object is a Second World War German torpedo. “There is currently no threat to shipping or the public and so we have marked the location so that we can return in the near future and safely dispose of it.”It is thought that more than 50 German warships were scuttled in the area at the end of the First World War in attempt to keep them out of allied hands. It is also the site of the wreck of HMS Royal Oak, the Revenge Class battleship which was torpedoed by a German U-Boat on October 14, 1939, with the loss of 883 lives.Brian Archibald, Orkney Island Council’s Harbour Master and Head of Marine Services, said: “Now that we know that the torpedo is German, we believe it is highly likely that it was among those fired at HMS Royal Oak by the U47 in October 1939.“It’s location in Scapa Flow is in the vicinity of the area where, from historical accounts, U47 is thought to have carried out the attack.”Lieutenant Commander Hampshire said: “While it wouldn’t be safe to preserve the torpedo whole, once we return to the scene we will explore the possibility of preserving one of the fins or perhaps a propeller blade for historical interest.”Following discussions with the Royal Navy team, the no-anchorage area already in place around the area where the torpedo was found is to be reduced to a 500 meter radius with diving also prohibited.The dive down to examine the torpedo was an especially poignant one for the Northern Diving Group team. Each year, in an act of Remembrance, members of the unit travel to Orkney in order to visit the wreck of HMS Royal Oak.“To think that this torpedo could have been one fired at HMS Royal Oak brings the tragedy home. Those who served with the ship were incredibly brave individuals,” said Lieutenant Commander Hampshire.]]>UKHMAFri, 04 Mar 2016 09:37:51 +0000Fraserburgh Celebrates £18 Million Investment over 7 Yearshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article675
One of the north-east’s biggest ports has received £18 million of investment in the past seven years.

Scotland’s fisheries secretary, Richard Lochhead, visited Fraserburgh yesterday and hailed the benefits of the European Fisheries Fund between 2008 and 2015.

A total of 142 projects in the Broch and 61 jobs have been kick-started by the project since its establishment, with local fishermen still able to apply for a share.

Fraserburgh Harbour received £10.6million from the fund for harbour deepening and mains power projects.Related Articles

The EFF has also led to further investments of £3.6million for processing and marketing, £1.9million for 113 fishing vessel modernisation projects and £460,000 towards a Whitelink Seafood facility.

Mr Lochhead, along with SNP MSP for Banffshire and the Buchan Coast, Stewart Stevenson, met with harbour masters during the visit.

He also took part in an open meeting with local fishermen.

He said: “Quite clearly, fishing remains crucially important for the local economy in Fraserburgh. There is no doubt there is a degree of optimism given that fuel prices are low and the quota increases we secured (in the) last negotiation. It was very significant.

“So I think there is a degree of optimism, but it is challenging at the same time.

“We’ve got the new discard bans being phased in, we’re not allowed to throw fish overboard at sea. They have to land for the catch. That is requiring a change of behaviour.

“That is a challenge.”]]>UKHMAMon, 07 Mar 2016 13:14:39 +0000£18 Million Crane Project Drives Carbon Cuts at Felixstowehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article676
Greenhouse gas emissions at Britain’s biggest container port have been cut more by than 24% in six years, according to its latest environmental analysis.

Previous measurements taken around the edge of the port had shown higher than acceptable pollution levels, but the drive for green energy and lower carbon levels has seen a big drop in emissions – and the port says it is aiming to do even more.

It has invested millions of pounds in environmentally-friendly machinery to cut carbon and other emissions, encouraged its workforce to adopt green attitudes and practices, while the massive ships berthing along its quays have also become greener machines.

Its latest environment report says the amount of CO2 generated per standard-sized container handled has fallen by 26.4% compared with figures in 2008/09 when measurements were first taken.

Alan Tinline, the port’s environment manager, said: “We are moving a lot more containers for less energy.

“In 2008/09, the relative carbon footprint was 13.1 kg of CO2 per teu, while in 2014-15, the figure was 9.7 kg.

“Our performance continues to improve and we are working to achieve 30% down from 2008/09.”

The report highlights how investment in cleaner technologies and effective traffic management has improved air quality – with nitrogen dioxide concentrations reduced by 20% since monitoring began in 2007, and sulphur dioxide down by 80% since 2009.

Projects which have helped cut emissions include the current programme to convert 54 rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes from diesel to electric.

Mr Tinline said: “We are one year into this project, which will take between two and three years in all and represents an investment of £18million.

“Once we have switched all of the RTGs, we will see a 30% reduction in diesel use at the port.

“The project will deliver many benefits – energy saving, emissions reduction, noise reduction and more efficient operation, too, because the auto-steer feature we are installing will help the drivers.”

Meanwhile, lighting across the port – offices and warehouses have been done, and cranes, masts and towers are next – is being switched to LED to cut electricity usage, and a record recycling rate of 82.5% has been achieved.]]>UKHMAWed, 09 Mar 2016 09:57:41 +0000Portsoy Development Stopped by Scottish Planning Authorityhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article677
A HISTORIC Scots harbour used as the backdrop for the remake of Whisky Galore has been saved from a controversial modern development by a Government planning chief.

The plans, for a new “boat shed” and self-catering accommodation beside the 17th-century harbour at Portsoy, Banffshire, drew a storm of protest after they were initially recommended for approval by council officials.

Residents felt the development, on land at a former salt house near the harbour’s edge, would damage a renowned boat festival held annually at the port.

Filmmaker Alan Wands, who used the conservation zone as the backdrop for his remake of the Compton Mackenzie classic Whisky Galore, starring comedian Eddie Izzard, said the development would damage the prospect of other movie projects using the location.

In a letter to planning officials Wands warned it might make the beauty spot impossible to use as a “period” location.

He said: “In my opinion, Portsoy harbour is a unique and beautifully preserved site which will be spoiled by the building of a holiday home on the site of the old salt house.

“It will certainly make it much harder for other filmmakers to use the harbour as a location for period films or television productions.”

Aberdeenshire councillors went on to reject their planning official’s recommendation for approval and threw out the application.

The project’s architect, Stuart Matthew, appealed to Scottish ministers in December in a bid to overturn the decision.

Now, however, Scottish Government planning Reporter Michael Cunliffe has ruled that the boat house would form “a prominent and incongruous element” that would detract from the “picturesque” character and appearance of Portsoy harbour.

He said: “The impression of a transition from the town, along the harbour to the rugged coast and the sea, is essential to that character as it has evolved over more than three centuries into the present picturesque scene.

“The proposed development does not accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan and there are no material considerations which would still justify granting planning permission.”

Portsoy Harbour hosts the popular Scottish Traditional Boat Festival. Started in 1994, it occurs annually, and is worth over £4 million to the local economy.

The “Old” Harbour dates to the 17th century and is the oldest on the Moray Firth.

]]>UKHMAWed, 09 Mar 2016 10:05:00 +0000UK Ports to Vote Against EU Proposalshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article678
Representatives from UK port operator Associated British Ports (ABP) and union Unite have travelled to Strasbourg to argue against proposals for EU ports regulation one day before voting on a directive will take place.The European Parliament voted against EU ports legislation twice in the past, but on March 8, MEPs are due to vote on a revised EU Ports Services Regulation (PSR), which aims to increase the transparency of EU ports.ABP, which said in a statement that the UK ports industry is united in urging MEPs to vote against the regulation, believes that privately-financed ports would be undermined by the PSR.James Cooper, CEO of ABP and chairman of the UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG), claimed that the current text is ambiguous, adding that this “ambiguity” is unhelpful as it creates uncertainty and puts future investment, growth and jobs at risk.The UKMPG and the British Ports Association (BPA) claimed in a statement that the new legislation could lead to more unfair competition and force private ports to put their services out to tender, adding that they may lose freedom over port charges and commercial confidentiality may be threatened.However, the Federation of European Private Port Operators (FEPORT), which said in a statement that the Transport Committee of the European Parliament adopted “en bloc” the compromise amendments on the legislation, called for MEPs to vote in favour of the text “en bloc”.Lamia Kerdjoudj-Belkaid, FEPORT’s secretary general, commented on the amendments applied to the legislation: “We particularly support the exclusion of cargo handling from chapter II, organization of port services.“The competitiveness of the cargo handling industry is thus recognised, particularly in a context where efforts to respond to customers’ demand are so significant in terms of investments and continuous adaptation.”Knut Fleckenstein, a MEP from Hamburg, (photo attached), home of Europe’s second container port, who drew up the revised legislation, recognised in an article in The Parliament Magazine earlier this year that there are diverse organisational models for ports across Europe.Fleckenstein added that a major challenge has been to make the regulation flexible enough to take into account these national and regional “particularities”.He said: “It should come as no surprise that a member state with privatised ports does not support a European framework. In my opinion, were Parliament’s transport committee unable to vote in favour due to national lines, it would be a lost opportunity to provide the ports with stability.”“The result of our joint work is a framework that takes the diversity of European ports into account, strengthens their autonomy and provides the financial transparency that will foster progress on state aid rules,” he claimed.Andrew Moffat, chair of the BPA, said in a statement: “If MEPs cannot reject the PSR, we urge them to support an amendment which would clearly and unambiguously remove privately financed ports from the scope of the regulation, in a way that is entirely consistent with EU law.”Meanwhile, as the June referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union comes closer, some Eurosceptics have taken a political view of the dispute.Nicholas Finney, former head of the UK Seaports Federation, claimed in a Conservative Party-supporting website that “the PSR is the perfect example of all that can be wrong with both EU principles and process”.Finney continued in claiming that if “the Prime Minister’s negotiations [with the EU] are to be evenly modestly fulfilled, he should demonstrate his real commitment to reform by insisting that all such controversial draft regulations like the PSR are suspended until the re-assessment of their status can be completed under the terms of the EU declaration”.]]>UKHMAWed, 09 Mar 2016 10:10:25 +0000EU Ports Services Regulation Passes First Hurdlehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article679
The decision means the draft report, drawn up by Hamburg MEP Knut Fleckenstein, will move forward to negotiations with EU member states and the European Commission.

It is the EU’s third attempt to reform and modernise port services in its port sector. Previous efforts – in 2001 and 2004 – failed miserably after making the mistake of focusing on liberalising the sector to make it more competitive.

In contrast, the latest plan focuses on transparency and securing port workers’ rights and safety, “social dialogue” and environmental compliance.

“Instead we are concentrating now on the better organisation of ports and the provision of good jobs. For the first time in the history of the ports package, the ports, terminal operators and especially the unions support our position.

“Whether the result will be satisfactory after negotiations with the [EU] council depends largely on the council’s willingness to accept that competitiveness goes hand-in-hand with social working conditions, and on whether the commission’s draft for state aid rules concerning ports is reasonable,” he added.

However, UK port representatives remain firmly opposed to the proposals, arguing that they do not take account of the specific structure of the UK port industry, which is largely in private hands, compared with predominantly state-owned ports on the continent.

The British Ports Association (BPA) tweeted: “Port Services Regulation survives plenary vote today in Strasbourg, but support from UK MEPs very much appreciated – still a few stages to go”.

In a previous statement the BPA outlined its position: “The Regulation would create a framework that is at odds with the unique and successful UK ports business model. Rather than services, the UK sees state aid as the major challenge.”

Meanwhile, the UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG), said that the 35% of MEPs who voted against the package showed that opposition to the measures was now beyond just the UK.

James Cooper, UKMPG chairman said: “We will continue to work with our government, our colleagues across the whole UK ports industry, our MEPs, and our allies from across the EU, to defend investment, jobs and growth. We will build on the support we have already secured in the European Parliament and remain confident that this unwanted (and unjustified) piece of legislation will ultimately be defeated.”

Following the vote, Gesine Meissner, rapporteur for the Liberal ALDE group in the parliament, commented: “Port Package III is a clear commitment to more financial transparency for ports and a suitable instrument to create a level playing field for European ports. However, liberals had wished for a real approach to new market access for port services.”

However, Ms Meissner said, it was important that the parliament was able to find a compromise which enabled the start of negotiations on the text with the commission.]]>UKHMAMon, 14 Mar 2016 09:37:04 +0000Port of London Increases Cargo Handled to 45.4 Million Tonnes in 2015http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article680
The Port of London has welcomed some of the largest ships in the worldThe port welcomed larger ships than ever before in 2015

Figures have revealed that last year the tonnage of cargo handled at Thames terminals climbed by two per cent to 45.4 million tonnes

The Port of London welcomed larger ships than ever before in 2015, which alongside the ambitious Thames Vision project, represents the start of a bright future for the river, according to the Gravesend-based Port of London Authority (PLA).

Thames Vision aims the help the port increase annual passenger trips to 20 million passenger trips a year, move more goods by river, and increase the number of people enjoying sport and recreation among other goals.

The cargo growth was principally in containers and trailers and aggregates and cement for construction, although oil trades fell with volumes particularly low at the beginning of the year.

Robin Mortimer, chief executive of the Gravesend-based Port of London Authority, said: “Last year a number of operators introduced new, bigger ships and records were broken.

“The 400 metre long Barzan set a new benchmark as the biggest-ever ship on the Thames when she called at London Gateway Port in September.

“Viking Star became the largest-ever cruise ship in central London when she called at our Greenwich cruise ship moorings on her inaugural trip in May.

“Since August, the Port of Tilbury has welcomed over 20 calls from Grimaldi’s new-generation, larger capacity con-ro ships, operating on routes between Europe and West Africa.

“Longer and wider than their predecessors, they are handled at Tilbury’s new landing stage berth, rather than in the docks.

“And the Thames’ busiest service operator, CLdN has much larger, “game changer”, ships being built as well.

“It’s developments like these, combined with the planned £1bn of investment by Thames terminals and operators over the next five years, that give us confidence in the future.

“The Thames Vision project, looking at how the Thames will develop over the next two decades has set a goal of port trade growing to over 60 million tonnes.”

At the Port of Tilbury, P&O Ferries passed a milestone, handling its one millionth freight unit at the port and the port handled over 40 million bricks.

Not only that, a record 100,000 passengers passed through the London International Cruise Terminal.

At London Gateway Port, development of the third berth continued as increasing numbers of ultra large container ships called, benefiting from the port’s ability to continue operating even in high winds.]]>UKHMAMon, 14 Mar 2016 09:43:15 +0000Port of Tyne Records Largest Ever Shipment of Wood Pelletshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article681
The MV Agnes bulk cargo vessel delivered a record 57,845 tonnes of wood pellets - destined for one of the UK’s largest energy producers Drax Power, in North Yorkshire.

Port of Tyne recently recorded the largest cargo of wood pellets handled in a single shipment at the Port.Port of Tyne recently recorded the largest cargo of wood pellets handled in a single shipment at the Port.Arriving from Virginia in the United States, at 225m long the MV Agnes is also the largest wood pellet vessel ever handled at the port.

Steven Harrison, chief operating officer Port of Tyne, said: “The port was the first to work in partnership with Drax in handling large volumes of wood pellet as it began to convert from coal derived electricity generation to renewable energy in 2010. “The significant investment in the Port’s infrastructure in recent years have enabled us to accommodate some of the world’s largest cargo ships and the MV Agnes represents a milestone in terms of our ability to handle such large cargoes on the Tyne.”]]>UKHMAMon, 14 Mar 2016 09:51:32 +0000Plan for New Lock Gates at Immingham for Flood Defencehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article682
IMMINGHAM bosses plan to install £5 million lock gates to act as a "mini-Thames barrier" and protect the busy port against another tidal surge.

The December 2013 tidal surge on the Humber caused tens of millions of pounds in damage when it swamped parts of Immingham, the busiest port in the UK in terms of tonnage.

Tom Jeynes, Associated British Ports’ sustainable development manager for the Humber, told MPs at a round-table discussion on flood prevention in Westminster that investment was planned to prevent such devastation happening again.

Port operators, having taken advice from the Environment Agency (EA), plan to install £5 million lock gates which would be able to rebuff rising tides.

When asked by Wakefield MP Mary Creagh whether it could be described as a "mini-Thames barrier", Mr Jeynes replied: "I suppose you could call it that."

He said the current proposals would protect Immingham from another flood on the severity scale and rarity of 2013’s surge – regarded as a one-in-450-years flood.

"The tricky thing about the front line of the port is that one of our vulnerabilities is our lock pit which affords deep sea shipping access to the enclosed dock at Immingham," said Mr Jeynes.

"We are currently working with the Environment Agency on a design for higher lock gates with reverse head-of-strength capability. As you know, these things don’t sit on a shelf in a DIY store.

"The issue is not designing them but installing these higher crest gates while still keeping the port open to commercial traffic. That is probably the most pressing challenge.

"These are very bespoke and complicated pieces of infrastructure and the forces that act on gates like this are huge.

"The cost of these is anywhere up to £5 million, particularly for the gates – and they are only part of the solution. Further work along the front line is also required."

ABP had updated its emergency plan and addressed the vulnerability of Immingham’s power stations by reinforcing them, he confirmed.

"An enormous amount of work has taken place since 2013 and we genuinely feel we are in a better place now than we were then," added Mr Jeynes.

Mrs Creagh asked ABP to write to the environmental audit committee detailing the cost of the flood defence work it is carrying out so it can calculate the price of protecting the Humber.

The port manager also confirmed that, in collaboration with North East Lincolnshire Council and the EA, ABP were "starting the process" of reinforcing the front wall around Grimsby Docks, only eight miles from Immingham.

"We have all contributed towards this financially," he continued.

"In terms of planning and engagement, we are trying to look at the area as a community, as a grouped economic area and not separately. The whole point is to look at it in a more holistic way."

Hugh Ellis, head of policy for the Town And Country Planning Association, told MPs during the discussion that the UK needed to prepare for rising sea levels of at least 1.2 metres in the coming years.]]>UKHMAMon, 14 Mar 2016 09:58:42 +0000Prince William and Lord Hague Visit DP World London Gatewayhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article683
PRINCE William joined a former Government minister at an Essex port as part of a mission to learn more about illegal smuggling.

The Duke of Cambridge and Lord Hague, the former foreign secretary, visited the DP World port in Stanford-le-Hope.

After scaling a 70-metre high crane to get a bird’s eye view of containers at the port, the prince joked about bungee jumping off the top.

Ships from around the globe, some carrying up to 18,000 containers, unload their cargo at the port.

The port operator, the Home Office’s Border Force and conservation groups must then search through containers in a bid to stop the smuggling of illegal wildlife parts, such as ivory.

Holding on to his hard hat to stop it blowing away in the strong wind, and looking down on the thousands of containers, William said: ’You can see the scale of the problem from here, it’s amazing.’

Joking with gathered reporters, he added: ’It’s an awfully long way down. Would you like me to jump as well?’

Simon Moore, chief executive officer of DP World London Gateway, said it was impossible to screen every single ship, but they were building the best possible structures to prevent illegal trade.

Lord Hague was asked by William to lead the United for Wildlife International Taskforce, with the aim of raising standards to stop traffickers.

During the visit the Duke was shown items like rhino horns, elephant tusks, complete black bear skins and other illegal animal parts that had been seized by the Border Force.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ’The Duke feels that people have a growing awareness not to buy things like ivory or rhino horn, but the transport is the link in the middle that he wants to shine a light on.

’Rangers are killed, tourism is affected if all the big game are killed and people’s livelihoods depend on this cultural heritage.’]]>UKHMAFri, 18 Mar 2016 08:57:33 +0000Longest Vessel Ever Enters Aberdeen Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article685
The HHL Rio de Janeiro stretches to 168.65 metres long.

The cargo vessel made a short stop in Aberdeen last week to load buoyancy modules ahead of departing on a 44-hour journey to Le Trait in France, where she will head on to her ultimate destination of Takoradi, Ghana.

The arrival of the HHL Rio de Janeiro is the latest in the on-going trend for larger vessels and highlights the need for Aberdeen to be able to support traffic of a greater length and breadth, the port authority said.

Colin Parker, chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour said: “The HHL Rio de Janeiro is the latest in a number of vessels that clearly demonstrates the need for the potential expansion of Aberdeen Harbour into Nigg Bay. In order to remain competitive and to support the global industries that use our port on a daily basis, we must be in a position to provide fit-for-purpose facilities.”

A final decision on the project expected in late summer.]]>UKHMAMon, 21 Mar 2016 19:24:30 +0000Rotterdam - Barometer of the World’s Economyhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article686
UNLESS you are a hermit, you own and consume things that have passed through the port of Rotterdam. Last year the port handled 466m tonnes of cargo, more than double the amount of Europe’s second port, Antwerp. The endless shifts in the size and composition of these flows provide an instant indicator of the state of the world economy. And the trends that are transforming the port’s operations—automation and the shift away from fossil fuels—give a sense of the future too.

Thanks to its easy access for big ships from the Atlantic and for barges from the interior, Rotterdam has been Europe’s dominant port for much of modern history. Its success is man-made: in the mid-19th century, when the Ruhr region of Germany was industrialising, Rotterdammers dug a channel to connect the Maas river, which runs through the city, to the Rhine, creating the most shipworthy route from Europe’s industrial heartland to the North Sea.

The port has been evolving in sympathy with the global economy ever since: in the mid-20th century, new handling and storage facilities for oil and chemicals were built to cater to the post-war boom. As globalisation gathered pace in the 1990s and 2000s, the port expanded further into the sea, to provide berths for the mega-ships bringing sneakers and flat screens from Asia to Europe.

Activity at the port today bears witness to four trends currently shaping the world economy: the low price of oil, slow growth in China and emerging markets, the sluggish euro-area recovery and the global slowdown in manufacturing and trade. From his office overlooking the Maas, Eelco Hoekstra, the boss of Vopak, the world’s largest independent storage company of “all things liquid”, sees the physical manifestation of movements in energy markets sailing by each day.

In 2014, he recalls, when fracking was flooding America with cheap natural gas, huge cargoes of American coal suddenly started floating past. Gas was displacing coal in America but remained expensive in Europe, since America had little export capacity. So European utilities began snapping up the unwanted American coal instead: more of it was exported to the Netherlands than to any other country in 2014 and the first half of 2015.

Soon after, the price of oil collapsed. Big consumers expected a relatively prompt revival, however, judging by the price of futures contracts. Rotterdam’s vast storage tanks quickly filled, as traders bought cheap crude on the spot market and sold futures at a higher price, locking in a profit. The low oil price, meanwhile, has helped pad margins at refineries and chemical plants, spurring a flurry of activity in Rotterdam’s sprawling industrial complexes.

The oil price fell thanks in part to slowing growth in China, which is also evident in the sudden appearance of Chinese ships offloading surplus steel. This in turn means fewer barges are taking iron ore down the Rhine to German steel mills. Declining sales of German cars in China compound the problem, as carmakers consume less steel. The drop in shipments of bulk goods arriving in Rotterdam, says Allard Castelein, CEO of the port, is a direct result of this baleful cycle.

The relative strength of the American and British economies is some compensation. In 2015 so-called “RoRo” (roll-on roll-off) traffic of lorries crossing the North Sea to Britain increased by 13% compared with the year before. America-bound cargo has also held up well. There are also a few countries from which imports to Rotterdam are growing fast. As wages in China have risen, says Roderick de la Houssaye of van Uden, a logistics firm, his clients—particularly makers of shoes and clothes—are relocating. Some have gone to places with lower wages, such as Indonesia and Vietnam; others to closer manufacturing regions such as Turkey, which are less likely to suffer from transport disruption.

Some people see “near-shoring” to places like Turkey as a sign that globalisation is ebbing. The Baltic Dry Index, which tracks the cost of moving raw materials by sea, hit a record low in February. That is partly the result of a ship-building binge, but also of faltering demand. For the past few years world trade has been growing no faster than the world economy—the reverse of the usual pattern; in dollar terms, it declined by almost 14% in 2015.

All this can clearly be felt in Rotterdam, where one in four containers originates in China. “When Singapore’s harbour is empty, it’s hard to see how we can be full,” says Mr Castelein. Although the volume of goods handled in the port grew by 4.9% last year, this was almost entirely thanks to the increased trade in oil and oil products. Container volumes dropped by 1.1% and agricultural bulk by 3.8%.

Whether this slowdown is just a temporary dip or a permanent one is the subject of a heated debate. Mr Hoekstra is convinced that intercontinental trade will continue to grow. In the past 15 years he has seen shipments of oil and refined products quadruple. The main driver, he says, is a growing imbalance between those who have natural resources and those who need them. As oil and gas production becomes ever more concentrated in a few places, the need to ship and store the stuff will only grow, he thinks. Russia and the Middle East have too much oil; Asia too little. Europe has a shortage of diesel but a surplus of gasoline, which South Africa, in turn, wants more of—and so on.

Port in a stormBut Bart Kuipers of Erasmus University argues that a number of trends all push in the same direction: less container traffic. Economies are shifting from industry to services; advances in logistics and technology, such as near-shoring and 3-D printing, are making it more practical to manufacture things in the rich world; recycling drives are sapping the incentive to import.

Rotterdam provides much more conclusive evidence of another trend that will shape the world economy: automation. Earlier this year its crane-drivers, often referred to as “the kings of the terminal”, went on a 24-hour strike that paralysed large parts of the port for the first time in 13 years. They were protesting against competition from robots. In 2013 the opening of “Maasvlakte 2”, which extended the port by a fifth by reclaiming land from the sea, was welcomed as a feat of engineering not just because it made the Netherlands 20km² (8 square miles) bigger, but also because its new “ghost” terminals run with almost no human intervention. In an episode of “The Wire”, a hit American TV drama, a stevedore at the port of Baltimore declares a jazzy promotional video about Rotterdam to be a “horror movie”.

AGVs on the marchIn this part of the port, there is no hustle and bustle. Crane-drivers have been replaced by “remote crane operators”, who sit in a distant office in front of computer screens, using joysticks to control as many as three cranes at once. The cranes lift containers onto self-driving, battery-powered automated guided vehicles (AGVs), which deliver them to stacks to be distributed by truck, train or barge. When their batteries run out, the AGVs drive to a depot where robots remove the spent ones and insert replacements. It is eerily quiet and dark, as the AGVs do not need light to navigate.

Humans’ main role is to stay out of the way; an AGV is about as heavy as a small aircraft and the whole system shuts down if any unexpected people or vehicles enter the terminal. APM Terminals, which operates part of Maasvlakte 2, hopes each crane will be able to move over 40 containers per hour in this way, compared with 30 or so in less advanced facilities. That cuts shipping times, saving lots of money. It is also far safer and, as one shipping executive notes, “Robots don’t take breaks or strike.” Sensing mortal danger to their livelihoods, workers are threatening more strikes unless the management promises to preserve their jobs and salaries.

Another area of evolution concerns how the new parts of the port are powered. The AGVs and cranes in the new terminals are all electric, and an increasing number of windmills and solar panels provide much of the power the port consumes. All this reduces emissions of greenhouse gases, in keeping with increasingly restrictive European rules. The port is also investing in all sorts of climate-friendly experiments, from using residual heat from industry to warm homes and offices in the city to storing carbon under the seabed.

Nonetheless, notes Jan Rotmans of Erasmus University, “Everything in the port breathes fossil.” Much of its business comes from the shipping and storing of oil, coal and other polluting fuels. Shell and ExxonMobil recently announced that they would spend some €2 billion ($2.2 billion) expanding their refineries in Rotterdam.

Mr Rotmans wonders whether this business will continue to grow. That depends on whether the rest of the world will follow the port’s lead in terms of curbing its emissions. Rotterdam and other ports are not perfect bellwethers for the world economy: they give little indication, for instance, of what is happening in services, since lawyers and consultants don’t tend to travel in ships. But, horror movie or not, it is hard to deny that Rotterdam’s docks reflect glimmers of the future.]]>UKHMAMon, 21 Mar 2016 19:31:38 +0000Beaulieu River Appoints Female Harbour Masterhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article687
One of Britain’s first female Harbour Masters has been appointed to run the Beaulieu River, taking over from Mike Nicholls who is retiring after 42 years of working for the estate.

Wendy Stowe, who was previously Deputy Harbour Master on the River Hamble, will manage the river and marina with a team of staff and take responsibility for all activities on the privately owned estuary, which is one of only a few in the world.

Four centuries of custodianship by the forebears of Lord Montagu have ensured that the Beaulieu River remains an unspoilt haven which is rich in wildlife and history and where riverside development and the number of moorings at Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour are carefully controlled.

Wendy (aged 42), who is a keen sailor and races yachts in her spare time, said: "I am privileged to live and work in such a stunning location and to manage the beautiful Beaulieu River.

"My challenge will be to keep pace with modern demands which make it a popular boating destination, while keeping its natural charm and unique character."

Russell Bowman, Managing Director for the Beaulieu River, said: "We are delighted to welcome our new Harbour Master to her role and grateful to Mike for so many years at the helm. The Beaulieu River is one of the most picturesque locations on the south coast and its award-winning yacht harbour has a long track record of giving a very personal and outstanding service to its customers which we will continue to build on in the future."

Mike Nicholls, who retires at the end of March, is a professional skipper with more than 40 years of experience on the river which is considered the gem of the Solent, close to the sailing centres of Cowes, Lymington and Hamble. Ten of those years have been as the Beaulieu River’s Harbour Master from its mouth at Lepe to Mill Dam at Beaulieu, bordering the edge of the Beaulieu Estate.

One of Wendy’s first tasks in her new role will be to oversee changes at Buckler’s Hard Boatyard which have come under Beaulieu River management from the start of March. The Harbour Master’s staff will be running lift out and storage services at the boatyard in future.

Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour, in the heart of the New Forest National Park, has a coveted top rating of five Gold Anchors. With 115 marina berths, over 300 moorings and a boat park with slipway, this is a fully serviced marina offering a boatyard, fuel and valet service with provisions on sale for the convenience of mooring holders and visitors. For further information on the Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour, visit www.beaulieuriver.co.uk]]>UKHMAMon, 21 Mar 2016 20:15:17 +0000Dartmouth Harbour Authority Criticises Insurers of Capsized Trawlerhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article688
One of the trawlers would not re-right itself due to severe internal flooding.

It’s still not clear when a fishing boat that capsized in Dartmouth Harbour will be removed. The San Christophe 1 sank after seeking shelter during last week’s storms.

The Harbour Authority says it’s pushing the boat’s insurers to come up with a recovery plan. Meanwhile it’s continuing to work to contain the fuel and deal with any leaks.

The St Christophe is still submerged in Dartmouth harbour with nine tonnes of fuel onboard.Diving survey work has been carried out to assess the condition of the vessel and work has continued to contain the diesel fuel that is onboard.

According to the Harbour Authority, fuel has been leaking from the trawler’s weak tanks.

2 tonsof fuel has been collected and disposed of.When one of the trawlers wouldn’t re-right itself the lifeboat crew discovered severe internal flooding. Captain Giles from the Authority says they’re continuing to press the vessel’s insurers for a solution for recovery of the boat.It should be noted that Dart Harbour is not in control of the timescale for this. We understand the insurers are tendering for salvage contracts.

With Easter – traditionally the start of the leisure boating season – fast approaching, we are keen for the vessel to be removed as safely and swiftly as possible using a method that will cause least impact to the environment.

The majority of the five crew of the vessel have returned to France. The incident is now subject to Marine Accident investigation which the Harbour are helping with.

The Hoegh Osaka spent 19 days stranded in the SolentA cargo ship which became stranded in the Solent for 19 days after developing a severe list was "unstable" when it left port, a report says.The Hoegh Osaka ran aground in January 2015 on its way from Southampton to Bremerhaven carrying high-end cars.A "significant difference" between the actual and estimated cargo weight left it unstable and contributed to the accident, marine investigators found.Owner Hoegh Autoliners said no one person could be blamed for the error."There were a number of circumstances here. We cannot put responsibility on one individual or group," a spokesman for the shipping company said.The 51,000-tonne vessel, which left Southampton on 3 January 2015 at 20:06 GMT, was "rounding West Bramble buoy in the Solent when it developed a significant starboard list, causing some cargo shift and consequent flooding", the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report said.

2000 Year ship was built in Japan1,450 Cars on board5,814 Tonnes of cargoThe pilot gave the order to "stop engines" at 21:10 GMT and the ship continued to list at an angle of 40 degrees, leaving the rudder and propeller out of the water.A JCB stone cutter broke free of its lashings and ripped a hole in the hull, causing sea water to enter the ship.One off-duty crew member broke an arm and a leg as he stumbled and fell 18m down a corridor, hitting the door at the end.MAIB chief inspector Steve Clinch said: "The MAIB’s investigation found that Hoegh Osaka’s stability did not meet the minimum international requirements for ships proceeding to sea."Crucially, the assumed distribution of ballast on board bore no resemblance to reality, which resulted in the ship leaving Southampton with a higher centre of gravity than normal."The report concluded:Hoegh Osaka’s actual cargo weight and stowage were significantly different to the final cargo tally supplied to the shipHoegh Osaka’s chief officer believed he knew with sufficient accuracy the quantity of ballast water in each tank. To comply with the Wallem SMS [safety management system] requirement for ballast tank soundings to be recorded daily, the chief officer falsified the sounding recordsWitness and anecdotal evidence suggests that the practice of not calculating the actual stability condition on completion of cargo operations but before the ship sails extends to the PCC/PCTC [pure car carrier/pure car and truck carrier] sector in general

Salvors found that 27% of the cargo had been damaged

The heavy cargo included JCB equipment, Land Rovers and other carsLand Rovers were estimated to be two tonnes each but actually weighed significantly more, which accounted for almost 350 extra tonnes.The report said: "Cargo distribution was such that the upper vehicle decks were full while the lower vehicle decks were lightly loaded."The ship’s inadequate stability had not been identified as no accurate stability calculation had been carried out before the ship sailed."It also said no stability estimation had been completed after all the cargo had been loaded, which had "become the norm" in the car carrier sector in general.lineAnalysisby Paul Clifton, Transport correspondent, BBC South

There’s a very telling sentence in the report: "Unsafe practices had become the norm."The faults which led to the most dramatic incident in the Solent in decades are not confined to this ship, this company or this port.They are, the report suggests, endemic throughout the car carrying industry.When it happened, there were hints that only the brave actions of the captain and pilot had led to the ship being grounded on Bramble Bank.Today’s report says no such thing. It was pure chance that the ship ran aground in shallow water.If the ship had started to turn a few moments earlier or later, the Hoegh Osaka would have ended up in the only deep water channel.It would have stopped the container port, stopped the cruise ships, stopped the ferries. And it would have meant Britain’s largest oil refinery running out of supplies.

The MAIB recommended Hoegh Autoliners "enhance its internal procedures and instructions to ensure that the stability of its vessels is maintained throughout the operating cycle".The report said the ship owners had commenced an internal investigation and introduced new procedures.]]>UKHMAMon, 21 Mar 2016 20:31:09 +0000Port of Astoria uses "Air Dancers" to Scare off Sea Lionshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article690
The sea faring mammals are popular with tourists, but their presence has caused damage to the docks and their affinity for salmon has angered the local fishing community.

Executive Director Jim Knight told the Daily Astorian that the air dancers, which only cost $200 to $300, are merely a temporary solution until a 22-inch-high dock railing can be installed.

The inflatable dancers will also help the port staff study the sea lion’s behavior, as permit and project manager Robert Evert noted their high intellect.

"Time will tell," he told KPTV "One thing about the sea lions is they’re very intelligent animals. So if they realize these are not a harm or threat to them, it’s possible they’ll get back on the docks."

The unique tactic provided some immediate results, as a few sea lions became frightened by the air dancers but the majority of the animals remained.

In the past the port has tried to scare off the sea lions using electrified mats, beach balls and a large fiberglass orca that eventually capsized.

]]>UKHMAMon, 21 Mar 2016 20:37:21 +0000Cley Harbour’s Restoration Project - Stage One Nears Completionhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article691
A north Norfolk coastal community has pulled together and restored an ancient feature lost for many decades.

Cley Harbour Project organisers had absolutely no success when they applied for grant help, according to spokesman Simon Read.

So 18 months ago a Pledge Fund was launched which home owners and other well-wishers had generously supported, raising £15,000.

More money is needed so that in a year’s time organisers can get cracking on stage two of the project, dredging the upper section of the harbour.

A fund-raising dance is planned in the autumn.

Cley has a working quay once more, which, from next month, can be used by boats of up to 20ft.

The transformation from a narrow, silted-up river to an expanse of water with a newly-installed quay heading, has been hailed as a major success story for the village.

“It’s now got a real ‘wow!’ factor - a big open space where boats can moor and turn round,” said Simon Read, Cley parish councillor and co-ordinator of the Cley Harbour volunteer parties which have been doing much of the donkey work.

“This is going to be a huge asset for the village and it has been a really cohesive project, bringing together residents and holiday-home owners.”

Stage one of project to restore Cley Harbour is almost complete. After four years of work, much by volunteers, there is now a large body of water in the harbour and is now navigable by small boats. But villagers are now crossing their fingers that a river bank ownership wrangle, involving Cley Windmill owners Julian and Carolyn Godlee, will soon be resolved so that stage one of the Cley Harbour project can be completed.

Mr Read declined to go into details, but admitted the legal dispute had caused “a few bad feelings among some villagers”. He hoped it would be amicably and quickly resolved and said the mill was the most important business in Cley.

It employs 19 people and hosts weddings and guests all year.

The Godlees say they fully support the project and want it to succeed.

Launched four years ago, the project has permission to dredge a 300m stretch of the River Glaven, restoring the ancient harbour.

Mr Read said it had become so narrow at some points “you could barely get a dinghy through”.

He hopes that one day occasional seal trip boats will be able to start from the quay, rather than from nearby Blakeney and Morston, giving those aboard the chance to see the whole estuary.

And he is looking forward to drier weather when the area in front of the quay heading can be landscaped, with benches.

Project chiefs would like to dredge part of the disputed land to allow the water to flow unimpeded, cutting the need for frequent re-dredging.

Dr Godlee, who has owned Cley Windmill for 10 years, said everyone involved in the business fully supported the harbour project.

He added: “Over the last 70 years the deposition of mud has extended the front garden at the windmill – and this is now a beautiful and peaceful area surrounded by reeds, providing beauty, safety and privacy.

“In conjunction with Simon Read, we have mapped out an area at the front of our garden to be dredged in order to enlarge the channel – stage one of the dredging has already taken place and already the quay area is much enhanced.”

Once negotiations over river bank rights had been finalised there was: “every reason to believe that the next dredging stage can proceed and this will further enhance the quay project.”

Dr Godlee added: “We are extremely keen to balance the benefits for the village and the beautiful setting around the windmill, and also to preserve the safety and privacy for the thousands of guests who come to stay.”]]>UKHMATue, 22 Mar 2016 20:48:02 +0000Newlyn Harbour Sees Boost in Landings From Foreign Fishing Vesselshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article692
Despite the poor start to the year weather-wise, which has resulted in less landings from the its usual customers, custom from foreign fishing vessels, particularly from Belgian vessels, means the harbour remains on target for this year despite a "minimal" decrease in landings from last year.

"It’s come at the right time, and what it’s done is actually encouraged other foreign vessels to come and use us, which is great."

Much of the success has been attributed to the change in how vessels pay by ensuring there is a point of contact who is now accountable, and gives them the chance to check what is being landed physically with outstanding payments lasting no longer than 15 days.

Despite the poor weather, which has affected most UK ports, harbour commissioners added that Newlyn Harbour is currently performing above average and still maintains the largest variety of species landed on any port, as well as being one of the top for values landed nationally.

Rob said: "The success is down to having, and continuing to have, a more robust berthing/mooring procedure, whereas before it was a slightly slap-dash – now we make them book in, and if they don’t book in, they don’t get a priority and that’s the same for a local vessel.

"We’re also starting to see the seasonal variances of what’s happening depending on people’s quota times.

"They’re now booking ahead to use the slip when they know they’re going to be using their quota down here over a 24-hour period, which again is extra revenue via the services we provide."

While it was highlighted that the increase in foreign vessels was not indefinite, Rob said that it was something the commissioners were keen to encourage.

He said: "I want to make Newlyn the first place they go."

Chairman of Newlyn Harbour Commissioners Gilbert McCabe added: "It is significant that we now see the return of these foreign vessels landing here, and that’s much to be welcomed."]]>UKHMATue, 22 Mar 2016 20:53:54 +0000Impromptu Beach Clean at Ilfracombe Harbour Collects 3 Tonnes of Rubbishhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article693
Volunteers gathered on Ilfracombe harbour beach to tackle the mountain of rubbish

A CALL to arms was successfully answered after high tides and easterly winds saw tonnes of rubbish wash ashore in Ilfracombe harbour.

After residents discovered a mountain of rubbish had been washed ashore on Saturday morning, volunteers from Ilfracombe Dive Club and Ilfracombe RNLI joined forces to tackle the issue.

On Sunday they descended on the beach armed with rakes and black bag to help give the beach a spring clean.

In total, the volunteers collected more than three tonnes of waste, much of which was plastic.

The crisis came after high spring tides caused rubbish, which was gathered along the coastline of the Bristol Channel, to be swept out to sea – with easterly winds directing it straight into the harbour.

Melanie Greville, committee member at Ilfracombe Dive Club, said: ’The impromptu team merrily turned up to clear the scene at low tide on Sunday morning and were cheerfully joined by members of the Ilfracombe RNLI as well as a few passers-by.

’Three dumpy bags later, the beauty of the harbour was restored and some harmful damage to the marine environment was prevented.’

Councillor Bert Gear added: ’We probably see rubbish washing ashore like this twice a year, but it was particularly bad this weekend.

’The thing is people were complaining and saying it shouldn’t be down to volunteers, but by the time the council could have got a team to tackle it, it all would have been washed out again.

’I’m absolutely stunned by how many people helped and it’s thanks to those people that we have been able to stop that.’

The clean-up came just a week after volunteers turned out in force across North Devon for Clean for the Queen.]]>UKHMAFri, 25 Mar 2016 18:07:34 +0000Crabbing Goes Green in Wells next the Seahttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article694
It’s as much a part of the summer scene around the picturesque harbour as chips and sea gulls.

Now officials at the Port of Wells are promoting a greener form of gillying, because of fears over its impact on the marine environment.

Instead of buying plastic lines and buckets to catch crabs, they hope visitors will use eco-friendly wooden tackles, with a steel bucket to keep their catch.

An estimated 30,000 plastic lines and buckets are sold in the town each summer according to an informal survey.

Many end up in the harbour, where the material breaks down and pollutes the sea, or in landfill when they are discarded at the end of the holidays.

Environmentally-friendly crab lines which can now be hired.

Marine life can mistake it for food and strangle on the ingested plastic, or become entangled in the strong nylon lines, which can also foul boats’ propellors.

Harbourmaster Robert Smith said: “We’re not banning gillying in any way shape or form, we’re not banning the use of plastic, we’re offering an environmental alternative.”

A gilly hut on the quay, which will educate visitors to the potential problems, has received funding from the Sheringham Shoal Community Fund. It will open over the Easter holidays.

Wooden reels and steel buckets will be available to hire for £6 a day from the Port of Wells, which includes a £5 deposit when the gear is returned. Mr Smith said the hut would also sell crabbing bait.

“We don’t mind if we lose money,” he added. “It’s not about making money it’s about protecting the environment.”

Lines will also be limited to enough to reach the sea bed from the harbourside. Officials believe the combined length of crab lines sold at Wells in the average summer would stretch to Iceland if they were joined end to end.]]>UKHMAFri, 25 Mar 2016 18:14:19 +0000£2.5million for Coastal Communities in Northern Irelandhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article695
It reveals that this Fund has brought £2.5million to our economy, funding 11 projects based along our coast from Coleraine to Newcastle via Rathlin Island, with grants ranging from £71,000 to £736,000 to help create sustainable economic growth and jobs.

Harbour improvements, crafts, fishing, creative foods and building renovations have benefited from the funding.

Applications for the Fund will reopen this summer and the Minister urges potential applicants to start getting their projects ready.

Minister Durkan said: “The Coastal Communities Fund is a real shot in the arm for our coastal communities boosting their local economies.

“The Fund is designed to support the economic development of communities along our coasts. It promotes regeneration and sustains economic growth by funding projects that create new jobs as well as safeguard existing jobs.

“This report highlights some of the local projects, which show just how resourceful our coastal communities are in keeping their towns, villages and islands prosperous and vibrant.

“I take much pride in being able to assist them by distributing funding that encourages people working together in partnership for the benefit of the whole community.

“Coleraine Harbour is a prime example of this.

“It has benefited to the tune of £443,000 from the Fund to improve harbour storage and engineering facilities of 1,500 sq metres.

A local company started by two young entrepreneurs, The Skunkworks Surf Company, will be moving in to these new premises from their small workshop in Coleraine. They manufacture their own surf boards and are NI’s first surfboard company.

“They have pitched to Richard Branson and recently won the top place in the Engineering category at Invent 2015, run by the Northern Ireland Science Park. Skunkworks anticipate a capital spend of £500k on equipment and plan to employ 15-18 people over the next three years.”

“The Fund re-opens for applications this summer. I urge potential applicants to start getting their projects ready now. What I and DOE are about is building a better environment and a stronger economy. This Fund helps do that.”

In highlighting how the funds boost local coastal areas, Coleraine Harbour Master Captain Pat McKeegan said: “The introduction of the grant from the Coastal Communities Fund enabled the Harbour Commissioners to reinstate two derelict transit sheds which have been unused for over 20 years.

The buildings have been completely refurbished and brought up to a standard comparable with a new building enabling immediate occupation by a manufacturing company which is water related and at the same time fits in with the diversification which the Commissioners envisage for the Harbour Estate.”

The following projects benefited from the Coastal Communities Fund

1.Ballycastle Town Market (rebranded Naturally North Coast and Glens)

Ballycastle Town Market was awarded a grant of £96,901 to provide sustainable business facilities, support, marketing and training to local craftspeople and food producers.

2.Bushmills - The Designerie

Causeway Enterprise Agency was awarded a grant of £120,000 to create a studio, learning and retail facility for local artists, crafters and designers at Mill House.

3. Carrickfergus Enterprise

Project description: Carrickfergus Enterprise was awarded a grant of £77,080 to organise and deliver a two year programme of business support and training throughout the coastal area between Newtownabbey and Larne.

4.Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council – Glenariff and Waterfoot

Project Description: Following the award of a Coastal Communities Fund grant of £186,560 Moyle District Council and Glenariff Improvement Group transformed a derelict building into a Coastal Centre in Waterfoot, County Antrim. The refurbishment provides a beach café and visitor experience celebrating the rich cultural history of the Sea of Moyle.

5. Coleraine Harbour Association

Coleraine Harbour was awarded a grant of £443,000 to improve harbour storage and engineering facilities (1,500 sq metres) to benefit the boating and tourism communities at Coleraine Harbour and along the Causeway coast to combat the decline in traditional cargo handling.

6.Glenarm - Buildings Preservation Trust

Based in Glenarm on the Antrim coast, the project has seen the regeneration of the derelict Seaview Old School to provide craft, community, and tourism facilities and develop a visitor attraction in the area to safeguarding local jobs and create employment in the local tourism sector, thanks to a grant of £265,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund.

7. Kilkeel Development Association

Following the award of a Coastal Communities Fund grant of £260,872 the project is delivering Northern Ireland’s first lobster hatchery producing juvenile lobsters for release into the wild to sustain the local lobster population in the longer term. The hatchery also provides an educational and research resource through which awareness and understanding of lobsters will be improved.

8. Magheramorne - Learning to Grow

Based just outside Larne, the project saw the development of a water sourcing and bottling resource at Magheramorne on the shores of Larne Lough thanks to a Coastal Communities Fund grant of £250,517.

9.Newcastle - Bayview Synergy Space

Bayview Synergy Space, based in Newcastle, was awarded a grant of £96,944 to provide affordable co-working and co-retailing space for 26 small businesses from the creative and food sectors.

10. Rathlin Island - Ocean Veg

Ocean Veg, based on Rathlin Island, was awarded a grant of £71,844 to establish and operate a kelp ‘nursery’ laboratory on Rathlin Island to provide young kelp plants for growing out at sea (within a 20-acre growing site) to enhance production levels to meet increasing demand from retail, food manufacturers and restaurants across the UK.

11. Rathlin Island Development Association – Manor House

Rathlin Island Development and Community Association was awarded a grant of £736,643 to develop The Manor House, a listed building adjacent to the harbour on the island.

The Coastal Communities Fund, which was established by the UK Treasury, supports projects that boost the economic prospects of coastal communities across the UK. The Fund for Northern Ireland is managed by the Department of Environment.

The current Coastal Communities Fund covers the period 2012 to March 2017 and had a grant budget of approximately £2.5million to fund a number of projects for up to two years. A wide range of applicant organisations and projects which benefit coastal communities were able to apply for capital and revenue grants in excess of £50,000 under the programme.]]>UKHMAFri, 25 Mar 2016 18:25:42 +0000VolkerStevin signs Contract to Upgrade a Falklands Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article696
The £19m contract to upgrade Mare Harbour was signed with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).

The contract form part of a commitment by defence secretary Michael Fallon to invest £180m over the next decade to modernise the military infrastructure on the Islands.

The contract covers for design, construction and associated costs and will provide a roll-on roll-off facility suitable to cater for larger vessels. There are approximately 10 sailings per year for the delivery of military supplies including hardware, food and infrastructure, as well as a small amount of commercial freight to the Falkland Islands.

Defence secretary Michael Fallon said: “Improving Mare Harbour is an important part of our major investment plan to modernise infrastructure in the Falkland Islands. This will boost the capability of our armed forces and help support greater economic opportunities for the Islanders.”

Yesterday’s £19m contract to improve facilities at the berths in Mare Harbour is expected to be followed by investment to improve the power station at Mount Pleasant Camp as well as new services accommodation at the three radar sites. There are currently about 1,200 military and civilian personnel based in the Falklands.

Rob Coupe, Managing Director of VolkerStevin, said: “As a specialist in marine construction works, we look forward to working on this design and build project for the roll-on roll-off facility upgrade. We have worked previously with the DIO and are currently working on a similar project with them at Portsmouth so are happy to be able to build on this existing partnership.”]]>UKHMAFri, 25 Mar 2016 18:32:28 +0000German WW1 Warships Rediscovered in Portsmouth Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article697
The destroyers are among the only Imperial German Navy vessels intermittently visible above water

Forgotten for eight decades: the remains of the German destroyers protruding above the water in Portsmouth harbour Maritime Archaeology TrustTwo long-lost First World War German warships have been rediscovered – forgotten for decades in Portsmouth Harbour.

Archaeologists found them by examining aerial photographs from the 1940s – and by then searching through local newspaper reports from the 1920s .

Researchers say that the two destroyers are among the very few surviving vessels from the Imperial German Navy that can still intermittently be seen above water anywhere in the world.

Archaeologists believe that the vessels are the V44 and the V82 (both launched in the German port of Kiel – in February 1915 and July 1916, respectively). The V44 is particularly significant from an historical perspective – because it played a crucial role in the strategically important escape of the German fleet after the key phase of the Battle of Jutland at the end of May 1916. It was one of the vessels which successfully used torpedoes to prevent the British pursuing and destroying the 93 ships that remained of Imperial Germany’s High Seas Fleet.

Next month, archaeologists from Britain’s Maritime Archaeology Trust, will carry out a detailed survey of the two vessels, which are only visible at extreme low tide, and even then very difficult to access because of highly hazardous quicksand-style mudflats. One of the warships is thought to still have its boilers and some other machinery intact.

Originally the two destroyers were among the 70 German warships which surrendered to the Royal Navy in November 1918 and were subsequently interned in Scapa Flow Harbour in the Orkneys. However, in June 1919, in violation of the Allied/German armistice agreement, those German naval personnel, still on-board their ships in Scapa Flow, hatched a plot to defiantly re-fly their battle ensigns and then scuttle their entire fleet. Much of the plan worked – for they succeeded in sinking the majority of their vessels (thus preventing the Royal Navy getting permanent possession of them). They failed in only two dozen cases, two of which were the V44 and the V82 – because Royal Navy officers managed to intervene on those vessels to prevent the Germans opening the bilge valves and flooding those particular ships.

The V44 and the V82 (and a third ship, a cruiser called the Nürnberg) were then taken to Portsmouth and subsequently used for naval ‘big gun’ target practice. The Nürnberg was sunk in the English Channel - while the two destroyers were deliberately run aground by the Royal Navy on tidal mudflats near Whale Island in the eastern part of Portsmouth Harbour.

In the early 1920s, thieves looted the two destroyers for loose scrap metal – and later in the same decade, both ships were sold for scrap. However, only parts of the vessels were removed by the scrap merchants. The substantial remnants – including much of the ships’ hulls – were then abandoned and rapidly forgotten. Eight decades then passed before they were rediscovered by the archaeologists.

However, local paintings from the 1920s, together with some archival sources, examined by the Maritime Archaeology Trust’s researchers, suggest that other First World War German vessels (possibly including a submarine) may also lie abandoned and possibly buried in mud nearby. An aerial drone survey will be used next month to help reveal details of what’s left of the two destroyers – and may also be used to try to locate any other missing German vessels. The new data will enable the archaeologists to create 3D models of the two destroyers.

An early 1920s painting by the local Portsmouth artist William Wyllie of the former German V82 Destroyer after it had been run aground by the Royal Navy on mudflats in Portsmouth harbour. (National Maritime Museum, London)The wrecks are in a restricted area owned and controlled by the Royal Navy.

"Our research demonstrates that there are still major relics from the First World War waiting to be discovered. These two German destroyers are important because of the significant role they played in trying to control the seas around Britain during the conflict," said Stephen Fisher, research officer for the Maritime Archaeology Trust’s Forgotten Wrecks of the First World War project.

So far researchers engaged on the project have succeeded in recording 1100 First World War wrecks off England’s south coast, of which around 700 are British (mostly merchant vessels) and 50 are German (mainly submarines). The remainder – mostly merchant ships - are from dozens of other countries. The great majority of the non-German ships recorded so far were sunk by German submarines.

The entire Forgotten Wrecks project is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.]]>UKHMAFri, 25 Mar 2016 19:11:31 +0000Montrose Port Names New Pilot Boathttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article698
The Inch Burn was named by Mrs Joyce Jessop, widow of former Montrose Port Authority board member Sandy Jessop.

Mrs Jessop said: “I was delighted to be invited to name the new pilot boat and glad that my family was able visit the port where Sandy had had such an active role.”

The vessel was blessed by Peter Donald, the chaplain for Montrose Port. A bottle of Duncan Taylor’s award-winning Black Bull whisky was used for the naming ceremony, ensuring the new pilot boat was named in a spirited style.

The Inch Burn was named in Montrose’s well-established tradition of naming pilot boats after local rivers, streams and landmarks. Previous vessels have included the Glen Esk and the South Esk.

The Inch Burn is a specially converted former RNLI Tyne-class lifeboat. A few months ago, the port purchased another Tyne-class lifeboat, renamed the North Esk, which has performed so well that MPA decided to replace both older pilot vessels as part of their ongoing investment programme.

Harbour Master Tom Hutchison explained: “At Montrose, our pilots bring vessels 24 hours a day, in all sorts of weather and sea conditions so it’s vital we have pilot boats that meet the needs of the cargo ships and oil and gas vessels which call here.”

Nik Scott-Gray, chief executive of Montrose Port Authority added: “We would like to thank Joyce Jessop and Peter Donald for ensuring that the Inch Burn is now officially commissioned. The Inch Burn will play an important role in ensuring we provide an efficient and reliable pilotage service at Montrose, helping to ensure we offer the best possible range of services and facilities to port users.”]]>UKHMASun, 27 Mar 2016 17:11:15 +0100Whitstable Harbour’s South Quay Reopens after Reconstructionhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article699
Whitstable Harbour’s south quay has reopened to the public following a £500,000 project by the city council.

The project involved driving vertical steel sheet piles into the sea bed and tieing them back with steel rods.

It now has a design life of 75 years and has been built in front of the previous quay wall, which was constructed in 1956 and was suffering from significant corrosion.

The quayside surface has been repaired and tarmac laid where the new harbour market will be located, replacing the old gravel surface that made access difficult for wheelchair users.

A new entrance to the market site and the quayside from Harbour Street has also been completed as part of the scheme.

Larissa Reed, the council’s assistant director of direct services, said: "This has been a really successful project and we’re very pleased with the result. It represents a major investment in the harbour as well as continuing to help protect the town from the risk of coastal flooding, and the new entrance will make getting onto the quayside much easier too.

"By carrying it out over the winter months we have been able to keep disruption to life at the harbour to a minimum. There was some noise at the start of the project when the piling took place and we’re sorry if this caused some disturbance in the town.

"We now have a fantastic quayside that is ready to welcome the new harbour market over the next few weeks and everybody is looking forward to a busy and enjoyable summer."

Funding for the work came from the Environment Agency following a successful city council bid and the contractor was Breheney Civil Engineering Ltd.]]>UKHMASun, 27 Mar 2016 17:22:05 +0100Harbour Seals in Orkney to Receive Marine Smartphoneshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article700
Under a three-year, major Government-backed initiative, the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) at the University of St Andrews will begin a study into the sharp decline in Harbour seal populations off Orkney, Scotland.

Marine scientists at SMRU will attach their next generation of marine telemetry tags harmlessly to the fur at the back of the heads of a number of seals. The marine tags are small and lightweight, and simply drop off when the seal moults.

The marine tags, which work much in the same way as smartphones, will use Vodafone’s latest machine-to-machine (M2M) technology to send vital information from the seal when it surfaces or beaches directly back to SMRU for analysis. M2M technology is now a standard feature in new cars, heart monitors and smart meters, but never before has it been used to help monitor the well-being of marine mammals.

Vodafone’s M2M dedicated network significantly improves data gathering on a seals’ location, dive behaviour and its oceanic environment since it works across multiple mobile technologies. Among other benefits, it allows marine scientists to control directly the active state of every SIM card in each marine tag from a single PC.

The study by SMRU is being carried out at the request of the Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage which have great concerns for the future survival of Harbour seals in areas of Scotland. Harbour seals – one of two seal species in the UK – have declined in numbers by up to 90% in some areas in and around the North and East coast of Scotland, including Orkney, since 2000.

The data collected and analysed by SMRU is vital in being able to provide advice to Scottish Ministers across a range of key marine policy areas. These include the impact of marine renewables such as offshore wind and wave turbines, unexplained seal deaths and interactions with salmon fisheries.

Professor John Baxter, Principal Adviser, Marine, Scottish Natural Heritage said: “This exciting, collaborative study is vital to help us to better understand the drivers of population change in Scottish harbour seals, and to evaluate the potential conservation and management options open to us.”

SMRU’s Deputy Director Dr Bernie McConnell said: “Over the last 15 years, many of the harbour seal populations in the Northern Isles and on the north and east coasts of Scotland have been declining. Marine data collected during this project on Orkney will help to assess the causes, management and mitigation options in relation to the harbour seals decline and to prioritise future research directions.”

Vodafone UK’s Corporate and External Affairs Director Helen Lamprell added: “The first mobile call was made on our network more than thirty years ago. We will now be the first company to help transmit valuable information from seals.

“This project is proof that collaborations between government, science and the private sector can work to improve better informed policy decisions on the environment. We are delighted to be able to provide Bernie and his team with access to our technology and consultancy.”

]]>UKHMATue, 29 Mar 2016 17:06:34 +0100New Pilot Vessel for Milford Havenhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article701
St Brides, the first of three 19m pilot boats built by Mainstay Marine Solutions, has been delivered to the Port of Milford Haven and was officially blessed on Thursday 24th March by Father Harri Williams of St Katherine’s and St Peter’s Church, before coming into full service.The 48 tonne vessel is of a similar design to the ‘Picton’ pilot boat delivered to the Port in 2009. Designed by Camarc Design, these vessels have proven reliability of service over many years in the challenging sea conditions which can be found in and around the Port of Milford Haven.Capable of reaching up to 14 knots with 12 persons on board, the crafts are designed to be used extensively in heavy weather and are likely to operate in swells up to 5m in wave height. They are able to withstand the impact of coming alongside large tankers in turbulent sea conditions and provide a safe platform when transferring pilots to and from ships visiting the various terminals along the Milford Haven Waterway. The boats are fully equipped with the latest safety and operational features and meet the highest standards of reliability and crew safety.Alec Don, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven, said: “This substantial investment of over £3.6 million in the complete renewal of our pilot boat fleet will provide the port with three identical, modern, state-of-the-art boats with full interchangeability of parts. These boats, together with our highly skilled and trained crews, constitute the backbone of our ability to provide a safe and reliable service to our customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have been impressed with the professional design and fabrication service delivered by Mainstay Marine Solutions who have delivered exactly in line with the contract”.Stewart Graves, Managing Director of Mainstay Marine Solutions, commented: “We pride ourselves on our reputation for quality so the positive feedback on the finish of the St Brides pilot boat has been particularly pleasing. Delivering three vessels in quick succession has been a welcome challenge and we are on track to deliver the remaining two vessels to the Port of Milford Haven on time, and to budget.”

The three new vessels will replace the Port’s current fleet of four, the ‘Skomer’ and ‘Picton’ which were delivered in 2007 and 2009 respectively in readiness for the arrival of LNG, the ‘Portunus’, and the Port’s oldest vessel, the ‘Hakin’, which has been operating on the Haven since the early 1980s.

‘St Brides’ was named following a public competition which attracted almost one hundred entries. A traditional marine naming ceremony will take place for all three vessels later this year. ]]>UKHMAThu, 31 Mar 2016 20:07:33 +0100Detained Vessel Sails from Shoreham after a Five Month Stayhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article702
The United Ocean was detained in November by Port State Control for a number of deformities, which were suitably resolved to allow the ship to be released on March 14. It sailed five days later. Before too long, the terminal that the United Ocean occupied will be home to a new ship, continuing the steady flow of import and export throughout Sussex via Shoreham. Julian Seaman, harbour master and director of marine operations at Shoreham Port, said: “Shoreham Port is pleased that the vessel has been released and has now sailed.”

THE last Scottish-built puffer set sail for the first time in years from Irvine Harbour last week.

On Thursday, March 24, the historic Spartan was lifted out of the water and onto the slipway of the Scottish Maritime Museum ahead of a future restoration.

The museum are planning to have the vessel on display within the Linthouse building to give visitors greater access.

Built in 1942, the Spartan was the last of its kind to be constructed in Scotland.

The £60,000 project is part of the museum’s Inside Out initiative and was part funded by Museum Guide Scotland.

And the museum’s curator, Abigail McIntyre, hopes the boat could potentially hold events and exhibitions as well as hosting an artist in residence.

She said: “The Spartan move is part of our bigger Inside Out project which is to take it out of the water and move it on land within the Linthouse.

“This will make it much more accessible to our visitors, particularly disabled visitors who can’t get access out by the water.

“We can now cut a whole in it and expand the space available for events and we are even considering hiring an artist in residence to be inspired by the surroundings of the vessel to see what they can come up with.

“The puffer is full of history, it’s on our badge and it’s a really big part of the museum.

“It’s really quite an ambitious project which we’ve been planning since 2014. We’re hoping to have it moved into the Linthouse by summer or autumn.” ]]>UKHMAThu, 31 Mar 2016 20:29:20 +0100Marine Theft Prevention Initiative Launches at Salcombehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article704
In a joint anti-theft initiative between Salcombe Harbour Authority and Devon & Cornwall Police, the scheme is using SelectaDNA Marine kits to forensically mark boating equipment such as outboard engines, portable fuel tanks, electronic instruments and lightweight dinghies.

Marine property can be marked in a few minutes with the SelectaDNA solution, which contains a unique forensic code. It is virtually impossible to remove the marking once applied and it shows up clearly under UV light. This allows police to trace marked equipment back to its rightful owner.

Visible stickers warning that the boat has been forensically marked with SelectaDNA are also being used as an added deterrent.

Adam Parnell, Salcombe Harbour Master, said: ‘Despite only suffering low levels of marine crime in the estuary last year we want to ensure that Salcombe is not seen as a ‘soft’ target for marine crime.

‘We recognise that marine vessels are sometimes seen as ‘soft’ targets because they are often unattended but this initiative will hopefully deter theft which can be distressing and expensive for the owners and have a detrimental impact more widely.’The initiative, which launched with a special crime awareness event to which boat club members were invited, complements a recent upgrade of the CCTV system at the Harbour.

Mr Parnell added: ‘If deterrence fails we can better detect and then track stolen goods. Some of the vessels at Salcombe are already marked, but our aim is that up to 100 more vessels in the harbour are security marked as a deterrent and to reinforce the message that marine crime in the Harbour isn’t tolerated.’Over the coming months, The Harbour Authority will continue to arrange and promote marine marking events at Salcombe to encourage more boat owners to take better care of their valuables.]]>UKHMAMon, 04 Apr 2016 09:12:27 +0100Sailing Coble Festival at Bridlingtonhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article705
The two-day festival, organised by the Bridlington Sailing Coble Preservation Society and The Coble and Keelboat Society in co-operation with the Bridlington Harbour Commissioners, will see one of the largest gatherings of sailing cobles anywhere in the British Isles in recent times.

Festival organiser Paul Arro said: “Due to a number of cobles being saved and restored to former glory by enthusiasts, the opportunity to see once again fine examples of one of the classic inshore working boats of the British Isles will be a sight not to be missed.”

The four locally based restored cobles, regularly moored in the harbour, will be joined by the two new sailing cobles built by John Clarkson and Joe Gelsthorpe in 2014. Further cobles are expected from around the coast to make up this exciting flotilla of sail for the event on 13-14 August.

One sailing coble owner from Cornwall has already given his support to the event and intends to bring his vessel to Bridlington to join the others. It is hoped a 40foot restored seine net keelboat will also make the passage from the Tyne to take part in the proceedings.

Once a familiar sight at all coastal villages and ports from the Humber to the Tweed, the sailing coble was the mainstay of the inshore fishing industry; but was also used for piloting and foying; during the 1800’s and through to the early 1900’s until engines were fitted just after the First World War.

Many sailing cobles were converted to motor and continued to work for further years. These were the forerunners of the motor cobles built in more recent times by the specialist boat builders of Durham, Northumberland and Yorkshire.

There has been a decline of cobles for fishing and potting in recent years resulting in the virtual loss of this tradition of working boat.

“It is hoped interest in this event will bring together coblemen, enthusiasts and visitors alike from all along the coast,” said Paul.

“Sailing will take place over both days of the Festival, weather permitting, creating a glimpse of nostalgia and times gone by.

Sailing coble owners who would like to be part of this spectacular sailing event are urged to contact the organisers for further details.

The attached picture of sailing cobles at Bridlington is from an old postcard.]]>UKHMAMon, 04 Apr 2016 09:19:24 +0100New Tug for Cork Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article706
Cork shipping company Celtic Tugs, a subsidiary of Irish Mainport Holdings, have purchased a new Tug which arrived into Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth in the Port of Cork on 31st March. The new tug is expected to rejuvenate the company’s existing fleet of three tugs already owned and in operation by Celtic Tugs.

Currently named ‘Efesan Port’, initially registered in August 2015 under the Turkish flag, the new tug will be renamed in the coming days to ‘Celtic Fergus’ and will operate under an Irish flag.

The 24/45tbp tug was designed & modified by well-known Canadian designer Robert Allan Ltd and have a pair of CAT 3512 high speed diesel engines driving Schottel SRP 1012 FP propellers. The tug is able to serve as a fire fighting vessel with the help of an engine driven firefighting pump. In addition to frequency controlled electrical driven fore towing anchor winch, the vessels are fitted with aft towing winches and rescue boat crane for long distance towage. The vessel is able to accommodate 6 crew on board if necessary.

Speaking about the new purchase, Dermot Curtin Fleet Director Irish Mainport Holdings said: “The Tug has been purchased as part of Celtic Tugs long term plans to rejuvenate the present fleet of 3 tugs and shows our commitment and dedication to our current clients and contracts. The ‘Celtic Fergus’ will replace the ‘Celtic Banner’ which has served flawlessly in the Shannon Foynes Port area for the last 16 years.”

He continued: “Celtic Tugs is the largest privately owned port towage and salvage fleet operator in Ireland and since the company’s inception it has provided towage services to clients not just in Shannon and Cork harbour, but also on the coast by way of contract towage and salvage. We are looking forward to introducing ‘Celtic Fergus’ to our fleet and putting it into operation.”]]>UKHMAMon, 04 Apr 2016 09:29:37 +0100Hamburg’s "Internet of Things" Projecthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article707
Sascha Westermann, the Head of ITS and Intermodal Traffic Management, spoke at SAPinsider on March 21st about HPA’s progress to date and future plans.

The Port of Hamburg is the second busiest container port in Europe, and is a key trade lane connecting Eastern Europe to Germany and the rest of the world. The HPA is in charge of providing efficient infrastructure in the port area: managing the real estate; making sure quay walls, bridges, wharves and other waterfront structures are maintained, maintaining 140 kilometers of roads and 130 bridges within the port area, and managing the traffic – across ocean, barge, rail, and truck – into and out of the port. Other parts of the infrastructure are managed by 4 big container terminal companies and a few smaller businesses operating in the port.

Over 9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) are transported through the port every year, and this is forecast to double by 2025. But the Hamburg Port is located in an urban area and they cannot increase the size of the port to handle increased traffic. To handle shipments efficiently, the HPA must operate smarter. Better traffic management also helps to minimize pollution. The port and city are impacted by up to 40,000 truck trips daily and no one wants those trucks spending a high amount of time idling.

To help keep traffic flowing smoothly, the HPA worked with SAP on a series of 20 projects collectively called smartPort Logistics. This work began five years ago. The SAP HANA Cloud Platform was used to create a real-time connection to the port’s various stakeholders through a mobile business cloud. Those stakeholders included: the HPA itself; shippers; trucking, rail, and ocean carriers; customs authorities; terminals; contract warehouses; parking providers; and other businesses across the port. People, processes, and things data is then consolidated and analyzed using the SAP HANA Cloud Platform. The process data is based on an extended supply chain view that begins with a shipment from another port and can extend to inbound truck drivers hundreds of kilometers outside of Hamburg. Based on the analysis, HPA provides various types of schedules, tasks, and insights to the people who need it via their mobile devices.

Under the banner of smartPort logistics they have predictive and preventive maintenance capabilities. Mr. Westermann gave the example of a movable raise bridge that had a malfunction of a push button that raised and lowered the bridge. A maintenance technician got an emergency alert, was able to use his mobile tablet to search for the part in the SAP maintenance application and requisition it, and was then able to drive to the site and replace the part before any of the port’s customers even knew there was a problem. In some cases, maintenance can be based on sensor information. The Port Authority has sensors on their most intensely used rail switches, for example, and is experimenting with sensors that measure the structural strain and tension of a bridge.

Another smartPort application is known as the Port Monitor and is used for vessel traffic services (VTS). VTS is a marine traffic monitoring system similar to air traffic control for aircraft. VTS makes use of digitals maps combined with AIS data on the positions of vessels, and data on sea levels, berths, whether bridges are closed or open, and where construction is occurring.

Just as there is a control room for managing ocean traffic, there are control rooms used to manage traffic on the river, railways, and roads, as well as for managing the movable infrastructure. About 300 traffic sensors and 270 kilometers of fiber optics feed data into these control rooms. Eventually these separate control rooms will be merged into one virtual control room to increase synergies.]]>UKHMAMon, 04 Apr 2016 09:39:41 +0100Cruise Ship Visits to Scottish Ports to Increase in 2016http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article708
The port operator said it will welcome 91 vessels to its ports north of the Border this year, up from 74 in 2015, with its season starting with the arrival of the 1,250-passenger cruise liner Magellan this month and ending with a new ship docking in Edinburgh for the city’s Hogmanay celebrations.

Rob Mason, head of Cruise Scotland at Capital Cruising, said: “We are extremely proud to welcome the Magellan back to Dundee for the second consecutive year.”

He added that 2016 is “a very exciting year for the company, as we continue to invest in our ports across the country” and it is set for 200,000 passengers to arrive at its ports.

Capital Cruising is a union of cruise terminals and Forth Ports has eight commercial ports across the UK, with one in London and seven in Scotland, including Dundee, Rosyth, and Grangemouth.

]]>UKHMAThu, 07 Apr 2016 20:48:48 +0100ABP Welcomes UK’s First Marine Pilotage Apprenticeshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article709
The scheme, which was written and developed by ABP’s Marine Training Manager Martin Gough, attracted almost 40 applicants from across the country, all keen to build on their existing skills and qualify as a marine pilot.

Martin explains: “This new scheme was developed following the success of our Port Marine Operations Apprenticeship. We have long known there was a need to get young people into the marine industry and developing a Marine Pilotage apprenticeship scheme made perfect sense.

“The traditional route into pilotage, of spending many years at sea usually qualifying as Master Mariners before coming ashore, means the average age of pilots is quite high and that needs to be addressed.

“By developing the apprenticeship scheme to ensure it complies with the requirements of the National Occupational Standards for Marine Pilots and IMO resolution A960 we can reduce the amount of time required to be spent at sea and focus the training on developing the specific skills required by a marine pilot.

“We now have three enthusiastic and very capable people who are looking forward to learning these skills and qualifying as pilots, as well as 13 other young people who are already on our Marine Operations Apprenticeship, all of which bodes well for the future of the industry.”

All applicants were required to have their first-level marine qualification and will join a team of 218 ABP pilots across the company’s 21 ports.

Kym Hughes is from Portsmouth. He completed his cadetship with Carnival UK and reached the rank of 2nd Officer before making the transition to the apprenticeship.

“This course is a great opportunity to get into pilotage,” said Kym. “I’ve always wanted to be a pilot and had been looking at gaining experience by staying at sea for many more years. This apprenticeship has opened up an alternative path for me allowing me to gain experience which is directly relevant to the job, in preparation for gaining my first authorisation next year.”

Tom Donaghy hails from Northern Ireland and has worked at North Star Shipping, Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd (PNTL) and most recently, in the Marine Operations department in Dublin Port.

He said: “The apprenticeship scheme is a fantastic opportunity to achieve a career goal of becoming a marine pilot. The scheme so far has been very enjoyable and it has been really interesting to learn how the various departments within ABP Humber interact and are interdependent on each other.

’’I know the job will be challenging but I’m looking forward to getting down to South Wales and learning from the experienced team there.’

Jonathan Sleep is from Deal in Kent. He’s also looking forward to benefitting from the experience of ABP’s existing marine teams.

He said: “During my time on board geotechnical research vessels I was given the opportunity to learn and practice ship manoeuvring and ship handling on a variety of vessels. This was always the fun part of the job and enjoying that can only be beneficial to my new chosen career.

“I’m also hoping to use the knowledge of some incredibly experienced pilots and ex mariners to learn as much as possible from them. The chance to learn from colleagues who have 40 years’ experience within the industry will make me a better pilot.”

As well as getting to know ABP as a company, pilotage apprentices will be expected to undertake training in tug and pilot launch familiarisation, man overboard procedures and ship simulator work including bridge/pilot resource management and targeted trips and situations.

At the end of the two-year course apprentices will be required to demonstrate their knowledge and capabilities through a series of final assessments which will include a full act of pilotage within the training district.]]>UKHMAMon, 11 Apr 2016 22:40:30 +0100Moray Council’s Harbour Dredger "Selkie" Launchedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article710
The only dredger in Scotland to be operated by a local authority has been launched and will begin sea trials ahead of being put to full use.The £2.4m vessel has been built for Moray Council to clean out harbours at Buckie, Burghead, Hopeman, Findochty, Portknockie and Cullen.The local authority also plans to make the boat, called Selkie, available to hire.Macduff Shipyard Ltd constructed the dredger at its yard in Buckie.

Designed to operate in small harbours, Selkie was built as a replacement for the Shearwater, a dredger Moray Council scrapped and sold two years ago after many years of service.Selkies are supernatural seal-like creatures found in Scottish and Irish mythology.The name was chosen by primary school children and the title will be officially conferred at a naming ceremony in Buckie harbour on 6 May.Council convener Allan Wright said: "The launch of the Moray Council dredger Selkie is the latest major strategic development to be delivered by the council."It is an investment in the future of our harbours and a sound business venture as we anticipate dredging contracts from local authorities around Scotland."

]]>UKHMAMon, 11 Apr 2016 22:48:26 +0100Drone Ships for Liverpool ?http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article711
Rolls Royce is working technology that could see remote-controlled ships on the sea ’by the end of the decade’

A commercial vessel on the River Mersey. All ships in the river are currently fully-crewed but this could change by the end of the decade

Crewless drone ships could be calling at the Port of Liverpool by the end of the decade.

A Sunday media report says engineering giant Rolls Royce is part of a consortium working on technology that would see remote-controlled vessels sailing the world’s shipping lanes.

Port of Liverpool owner Peel Ports has just completed the £300m Liverpool2 deep water facility that will see the world’s biggest cargo ships coming to the Mersey.

It will catapult Liverpool back into the premier league of global ports. So it is likely the port would be at the forefront of the latest technological advances in the world of shipping.

According to the report in the Sunday Telegraph, the drone ships would be controlled from hi-tech centres on land.

Oskar Levander, head of innovation for Rolls’s marine unit, was quoted in the report as saying: “This is happening. It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when.

“We will see a remote-controlled ship in commercial use by the end of the decade.”

Global shipping was hit badly by the economic downturn after 2008 and is still struggling to recover. Mr Levander said crewless ships could transform the economics of the sector.

He added that the individual technologies already exist but it was a matter of bringing them together, overcoming legal hurdles and testing the remote controlled vessels at sea.

Sensors such as radar, lasers and computer programs will allow the ships to pilot themselves, with shore-based captains taking over if there is a problem or for complex docking.]]>UKHMATue, 12 Apr 2016 08:45:29 +0100Trade Soars at Dublin Porthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article712
Imports up by 6pc as exports climb by 7.9pc in first quarter.The Dublin Port Company has paid an almost €11m dividend to the State as trade and profits surge at the semi-state business.

The dividend for 2015 is almost 24pc more than was paid by Dublin Port in respect of 2014.Dublin Port Company chief executive Eamonn O’Reilly said that 2016 had started strongly, with the overall level of trade at the facility jumping 6.8pc in the first quarter of the year.Imports were up 6pc in the period, while exports were 7.9pc higher.The port is now even busier than it was during the boom, with an average of 20 ships a day arriving there during the first three months of 2016.Trade at the port grew 17.3pc in the three years to the end of 2015."Were growth to continue at these rates, Dublin Port’s throughput would double by 2026," said Mr O’Reilly, who has been CEO since 2010.Dublin Port has already embarked on a major €230m project to expand its facilities. That scheme will be completed in four years.The so-called Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) will deepen and extend berths, enabling it to handle bigger vessels.The European Investment Bank has provided €100m in finance for the Alexandra Basin project.It’s part of a major masterplan for Dublin Port that is designed to steer expansion to cope with growth up to 2040.The ABR also includes a scheme for allowing larger cruise ships to visit the capital. They’ll also be able to berth closer to the city centre.Last year, 93 cruise ships with 149,000 visitors called to the port. Both figures were up on 2014. Among the cruise ships visiting Dublin this year are a Disney Magic liner, and the huge Caribbean Princess, which carries more than 4,000 passengers and crew.But such is the current rate of growth at Dublin Port, that Mr O’Reilly said the semi-state will now begin to plan other major elements of the existing masterplan that will be required to ensure it has enough future capacity.Dublin Port’s turnover rose 7.8pc to €77.7m last year, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was 14pc higher at €49.3m. The €10.9m dividend being paid in respect of 2015 amounts to 30pc of Dublin Port’s €36m after-tax profit last year. It made an after-tax profit of €28.9m in 2014.The port has now paid a total of €89.5m in dividends to the State since 2007.The amount of roll-on/roll-off traffic handled at Dublin Port rose 7.1pc to 221,696 units in the first three months of 2016.The amount of lift-on/lift off trade - comprising container traffic - jumped 11.5pc to 163,005 TEUs (a standard container size), reflecting growth in the domestic economy.

]]>UKHMAWed, 13 Apr 2016 09:08:14 +0100Sunk French Trawler Boosts Dartmouth Wildlifehttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article713
When the St Christophe 1 vessel which sank off the embankment last month was finally lifted there was no sign of her 1.5tonne catch.

Dart Harbour harbourmaster Capt Rob Giles said it was testament to the effectiveness of anti pollution measures.

"The 1.5 tonnes of fish that were on board the vessel when she capsized had been devoured by wildlife – seals, crabs and I am informed by the divers, a resident conger eel.

"It’s clear that the river’s flora and fauna have not been adversely affected in any way by pollution – instead they have thrived.

"Make sure you check the breaking strain of your crabbing lines this summer!"

The Saint Christophe 1 remains in the crane slings following the successful refloating on April 2 by the 55m salvage barge Sea Devil.

Essential seaworthy work needed as a result of the sinking are currently being put right so the vessel can be cleared by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to leave the harbour.

Part of this work includes improving the watertight integrity of the vessel and sanitisation to make it safe for humans to work on board.

Dart Harbour still awaits a date for the departure of the vessel and an onward destination. Until then, the vessel will remain in a berth suitable for its current state which could be alongside the salvage barge or another berth in Dart Harbour.

Sea Devil is expected to depart on Thursday April 17.

Dart Harbour continues to work with the vessel’s French insurers and remains ’open for business’ for visitors and berth holders.

Habourmaster Capt Rob Giles said: "As usual, the vast majority of the people of Dartmouth have been understanding of the situation and I wish to express my sincere gratitude to these people.

"I would also like to pay tribute to the Dart Harbour staff involved for their professional handling of the situation and their willingness to work additional shifts to ensure the situation remained stable.

"While we always hope incidents such as this will not happen, Dart Harbour has detailed plans in place for dealing with such circumstances which in this case have proved very effective."He added: "I hope the incident hasn’t put the crew off Dartmouth and they will visit us again under better circumstances."]]>UKHMAThu, 14 Apr 2016 11:47:09 +0100Birds of Prey Deter Gulls at weymouthhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article714
The borough council is hosting a birds of prey display outside the Weymouth Harbour office on Custom House Quay this Saturday, April 16.

It takes place from 11am to 12pm.

These birds are used to deter gulls from the harbour so that visitors can enjoy the ‘sitting out culture’ on the harbour and enjoy a meal or drinks without being interrupted.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s Harbourmaster Keith Howorth said: “The purpose of this event is to inform people about how we use the birds to deter gulls from damaging boats and property and also how we try to stop them disturbing visitors to the harbour who may be out enjoying a meal or a few drinks.

“It is also an opportunity for us to explain why we are encouraging visitors and users of the harbour not to feed the gulls and birds that fly around the harbour.”

The borough council has been using birds of prey to deter gulls since July 2014.]]>UKHMAThu, 14 Apr 2016 11:56:20 +0100Copenhagen Annual Harbour Clean Yields 90 Tonnes of Trashhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article715
Shopping carts, cafe chairs, traffic cones, signs, tractor tyres and hundreds of bicycles were recovered

The annual cleaning of Copenhagen Harbour has netted an impressive array of rubbish, according to harbour operator By & Havn.

Since March, divers have found and collected no less than 90 tonnes of rubbish from the harbour and its canals.

“The amount of items we bring up from the bottom during the spring has remained steady at about 90 tonnes over the years,” said Gert Hjemsted Kondrup, the head of operations at By & Havn.

“But we are seeing a slight increase in lighter rubbish, which we sail around and remove from the harbour on a daily basis. Judging by the number of pizza boxes and beer cups, the waterfront is being used more than before.”

Hundreds of bicycles Most of the items recovered from the murky depths are bicycles – hundreds of them – but there are also shopping carts, cafe chairs, traffic cones, signs, tractor tyres and walkers. And among the more unusual finds was a money safe!

By & Havn has a big spring cleaning every year to ensure the canals in the harbour don’t accumulate too much sand. Bits of rubbish can trap loads of sand and can become a risk to the many canal boats.]]>UKHMAThu, 14 Apr 2016 12:02:22 +0100MAIB Investigate Sinking in Maryport Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article716
The Marine Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating the causes and circumstances of the Fredwood’s sinking last Wednesday.

A spokesman said: "The aim of our investigation is to establish why the fishing vessel Fredwood flooded and sank.

"A full and detailed report will be published at the end of our investigation.

"If we identify any safety issues during the investigation that require immediate action, the chief inspector of marine accidents will issue a safety bulletin or make recommendations as appropriate."

The organisation carries out routine investigations when vessels are involved in incidents.

Emergency teams were called out shortly before 8.30am to the Fredwood, which was listing and taking in water.

A fire and rescue unit, Maryport Inshore Rescue and Workington RNLI were involved in the rescue of the four crew on board.

The Fredwood is an Annan-registered boat which fishes from the Cumbrian port during the winter months.

It landed its catch on Tuesday evening and was still moored up when it began to be swamped by the incoming tide.

A crane winched the boat upright and the Fredwood’s skipper, David McClennan, had to wait for low tide, at about 6pm, for the crew to pump out seawater and check the hull for damage.

It is believed a fixing on the hull may have been pushed through creating a hole for the water to get in.]]>UKHMAThu, 14 Apr 2016 12:08:50 +0100Grangemouth Opens Fish Feed Facilityhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article717
The port, owned by Forth Ports, has invested more than £2 million in the development of the bespoke storage warehouse for EWOS. It can accommodate over 6,000 tonnes of bulk raw materials at any one time.

EWOS is based at Westfield, near Bathgate, which is around 20 minutes from the port, and manufactures fish feed pellets for fish farms across Scotland and for export to various other countries.

EWOS has this week started using the warehouse as part of a contract with the port to handle a significant amount of its bulk raw material requirements.

The port will manage all of the cargo handling and warehouse management on behalf of EWOS.

The cargo was previously handled in Perth and, by transferring to the Port of Grangemouth, this allows larger vessels and volumes to be handled.

This also reduces the carbon footprint of EWOS as there are less road miles from Grangemouth to the facility near Bathgate.

David Morrice, country director of EWOS-CQN Scotland, said: ‘The opening of this new warehouse at Grangemouth improves the flexibility in our supply chain and will greatly assist our service levels to our customers.

‘This new investment clearly illustrates our commitment to fish feed production in Scotland.’

Derek Knox, port manager at the Port of Grangemouth, said: ‘This new long-term partnership with EWOS demonstrates how businesses can achieve cost and carbon footprint savings by basing themselves at our port.

‘This is a great example of our Portcentric approach in action as EWOS now benefit from a purpose built storage facility which is less than half an hour from their manufacturing business with direct access to the quayside for importing their goods.

A sailor dubbed “Captain Calamity” after having to be rescued by coast guards nine times in seven months, has sold his ill-fated yacht.

Steve Shapiro and his crew mate Bob Weise, both aged 71, set sail from Scandinavia in a 40ft yacht named Nora in July, with plans to cruise across the Atlantic to their native US.

The expedition, however, became repeatedly beset by problems as the duo tried to navigate down the west coast to England.

Described as “a catastrophe waiting to happen” by veteran sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnson, the pair were initially rescued by Norwegian and Danish services, once when Nora’s propeller shaft was damaged and a second time when the battery failed.

They were rescued twice in Scotland after running aground and having further propeller problems. The pair also ran aground in Northern Ireland and again in the Republic of Ireland leading to further rescue efforts.

Two more rescues were made in Cornwall following a mechanical problem and when one of the men got into difficulty rowing to the yacht.

The ninth call out came when the boat tipped over near Hayle Harbour, Cornwall, causing a fire on board.

Following the incident, Mr Weise, a former army helicopter pilot, abandoned the Atlantic mission.

Appearing to have followed Mr Weise’s lead, Mr Shapiro, a screenwriter from California, recently sold Nora to new owners through Wooden Ships, an international yacht brokers based in Dartmouth, The Times reports.

Wooden Ships confirmed to the Independent the yacht had been sold, but gave no further details about the sale.

The yacht is understood to be moored at Hayle Harbour where the final catastrophe in the ship’s chaotic journey took place.

Speaking to The Times on Thursday, Peter Haddock, Hayle’s harbour master believed the sale was due to a “combination of being short of funds, the dream just coming to an end and listening to local advice.”

Wooden Ships have not disclosed how much the boat sold for, but Mr Haddock believes it went for “around the £20,000 mark”. He added it could be worth ”£40,000 to £50,000” in mint condition.

The sale, however, may be part of a bigger scheme for Mr Shapiro. In February he told reporters he may sell Nora and upgrade to a larger vessel. He previously told the BBC: “She is indestructible and seaworthy, but she is a little cramped”.]]>UKHMASun, 17 Apr 2016 18:36:14 +0100New Solar Farm for Port of Sillothhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article719
The solar panels will be linked to the network which powers the port estate, providing sustainable energy and cutting the port’s carbon footprint. Surplus electricity will be exported to the national grid.

A total of 960 solar panels are due to be installed on the northern side of Marshall Dock, adjacent to Carr’s Flour Mill, and will be completed in the coming months. The work will be undertaken by contractor Scottish Solar Power.

Deputy Harbour Master and Short Sea Pilot, Ian Macpherson said: “The installation of these solar panels is the latest renewable energy project for the Port of Silloth.

“In November last year we installed roof solar panels, and we’ve also installed solar power lighting at entrances of the port and New Dock.”

Short Sea Ports Director, Andrew Harston said: “ABP is committed to the environment and we are always looking for opportunities where we can invest in renewable energy projects across our ports.

“This latest development, which has been championed by the team in Silloth, is a great example of how we can reduce our impact on the environment and create more sustainable ports.”

ABP is continuing to invest in renewable energy options across the port estate, including a new solar farm at the Port of Barry, the announcement of a second wind turbine at the Port of Newport and solar panels are being installed on new and current warehouse roofs across the Group. In 2015 alone, ABP’s 21 ports generated more than 6.7 million kWh from renewable energy sources.]]>UKHMATue, 19 Apr 2016 10:14:09 +0100Bristol Port Development Further Delayedhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article720
The £600 million investment to extend Bristol Port by building a deep sea container terminal has been delayed again – potentially up until 2030.

First Corporate Shipping, which owns Avonmouth and Royal Portbury Docks has this week applied for a ten-year extension to its permissions to build the container terminal.

It said that the economic conditions were not yet right for it to make the investment.

The new container port would give it the ability to accommodate the very biggest container ships afloat.

Its permission to develop the deep sea container terminal expire in 2020 – it has applied to the Secretary of State to extend that until 2030.

The proposals were first published in 2005.

It was approved in 2010 but the economic crash meant that construction was delayed.

In 2013 the port said that the plans were on hold for at least five years.

Now it appears that there could be considerable further delays, although the port insists that there is sufficient demand for the scheme to go ahead.

Construction will take three years.

A notice published this week said: "BPC considers that the recession has led to a downturn in demand in the short term such that it is now envisaged that the authorised works may not be completed (or all parts substantially commenced) within the ten-year period currently allowed."

As well as the economic crash of 2008 the opening of the giant London Gateway container port in 2013 has swallowed-up demand in the short-term.

But the Port says that its location close to major markets and top-class rail and road links means that it is the natural choice for future development.

It says there is an imbalance between the established location of UK ports and the distribution of inland container destinations; the inland distance travelled to final destination is increasingly significant for cargo owners.

It adds that Bristol’s new Deep Sea Container Terminal will open up options for new transhipment trade to Ireland and Europe’s Atlantic Seaboard.

There are also significant benefits to the West’s economy.

It is already a major employer, with more than 10,000 jobs directly or indirectly reliant on port-based businesses.

The expansion will generate almost 1,800 new jobs – 1,500 by direct employment and the rest by economic multiplier effects. Some 360 new full-time equivalent jobs are expected during the construction phase

Studies by Bristol Port estimate that the proposed terminal will generate over £114m a year in the local economy through employment and multiplier linkages

First Corporate Shipping last month published its most recent results, for the year until June 2015.

The company, which is owned by Terence Mordaunt and David Ord, reported a rise in turnover to £82.3 million and profits after tax of £15.4 million.]]>UKHMAFri, 22 Apr 2016 10:11:19 +0100Need for a Port Shakeup ?http://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article721
He spoke about the challenges facing port operators in the currently market, and spoke of how the industry is in need of a port shakeup.

“In today’s competitive environment, we need to become more standardised across our global portfolios, apply more technology to our terminal processes, use our scale, use more flexibility with our labour and partner with customers to get to the next level of efficiency in the industry,” Mr Fejfer explained.

He added: “At the individual port complex level, there is a need for a port shakeup.”

With the Port of LA and Long Beach having 15 different container terminals with various alliances wanting to call on them, the chief executive noted that it results in a high level of cost and waste for intra-terminal transfers.

He said: “If port operators are to contribute to the efficiency of shipping lines we have to drive rationalisation, consolidation and segmentation to serve the larger vessels and smaller vessels. More investment is needed in port infrastructure.”

It is thought that on a global level ocean carriers are consolidating port calls to achieve network efficiency, this allows them to tailor their networks to bigger import/export gateways and super large hub terminals.

Mr Fejfer also spoke of other trends, away from standardisation, that he believes shape the industry.

Such as the idea that ultra large vessels are entering the major trade lanes, that the liner industry consolidation is reshaping port call selection and frequency, and that shipping lines are under extreme cost pressure.

]]>UKHMAFri, 22 Apr 2016 10:20:33 +0100Zebra Barge on the Move from Lerwickhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article722
Sans Vitesse heads north with help from SIC tug Tystie and Lerwick Port Authority tugs Knab and Kebister. The Sans Vitesse ‘zebra’ accommodation barge has left Lerwick Harbour.

She has been a conspicuous – and, to many, unpopular – landmark at the Small Boat Harbour for the last two-and-a-half years but is now heading for a new berth at Sella Ness to provide accommodation for workers in the oil and gas industry.

The barge arrived in Shetland in September 2013 under charter to Petrofac and was used to house workers employed on the construction of the Shetland Gas Plant. She has 101 cabins with en suite facilities over three floors and also includes a laundry, bar and restaurant.

Facilities management company Shetland FM has agreed a two-year lease on the barge. It had been hoped the move would take place in early-April but there were delays while work was done to prepare her.

When she arrived in Lerwick in 2013 Sans Vitesse was berthed for a short time at Mair’s Quay before moving to the Small Boat Harbour. That was not the barge’s first visit to the isles – she was at the port supporting a pipeline project in 2001.]]>UKHMAFri, 22 Apr 2016 10:36:37 +0100Port of Cork Lands Cuban Trade Couphttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article723
Danish shipping giant Maersk — the world’s largest container carrier — began its first ever connection between northern European ports and Cuba last Friday, promising the fastest freight transit times between Europe and the Cuban port of Mariel.

The service will link the ports of Bremerhaven in Germany, Rotterdam, Tilbury in the UK and Cork to Mariel and onto Panama.

In the past month, Maersk has acted on rising demand from Irish-based customers by starting a new direct service between Dublin and Algeciras in Spain.

The Cuba development will not only be a boon for Port of Cork but will also act as a significant development for Irish exporters, providing a new opportunity to directly target the Latin American market.

In the past few years the containerised market in Cuba has been growing at between 10% and 15% per annum; main drivers being infrastructure investments and modernisation projects, including the terminal at Mariel and the creation of the Special Economic Zone of Mariel.

Maersk — one of the first movers since the removal of economic sanctions — is confident the new service will support the development of the Special Economic Zone, which is set to be the main engine of growth for the country.

Earlier this month, the MV Northern Dedication docked in Port of Cork’s deepwater berth at Ringaskiddy, becoming the largest container ship ever to arrive in any Irish port. This forms a weekly scheduled call from Central America to Cork and sees the delivery to Ireland of 75 containers of fresh fruit, mainly comprising Fyffes bananas.

“There are very little restrictions at Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth, so when it comes to handling a vessel of this size, the port is more than capable. In the future, we would hope to see more of these size vessels calling, as our port expands to meet the needs of our own customers and the needs of the global shipping community,” said Port of Cork commercial manager, Captain Michael McCarthy on the back of the Fyffes delivery.

Positive results point to exciting future for Britain’s leading energy PortThe Port of Milford Haven has published its accounts for 2015, showing a strong performance.The Port recorded a profit before tax of £4.4m with the port experiencing net growth in cargo volumes, up by over 10% on 2014 levels, at 37.8 million tonnes.

Valero remained consistently busy and the Port benefited from a continued increase in volumes of LNG. The storage terminals at SemLogistics and Puma Energy also saw reasonable levels of activity.Chief Executive at the Port of Milford Haven, Alec Don, welcomed the results. “Not only has the port remained busy, it has also attracted new business to the area,” he said. “We have continued to invest in both services and facilities to ensure we can maintain the port’s status as the UK’s biggest gateway for seaborne energy products. Considerable praise must go to our staff. Their skill and dedication has kept the port running efficiently and effectively,” he added.Investment in operations up-river at Pembroke Port also yielded results. The port remained South Wales’ largest and most successful ferry terminal. It also attracted a new contract to handle and ship out refuse-derived fuel to Sweden. The diversification strategy to attract manufacture and maintenance contracts for marine renewables took a leap forward at the end of 2015 with the deployment of Tidal Energy Limited’s prototype device, DeltaStream, constructed in the port.The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Milford Dock and Marina, base of Wales’ largest fishing port. Planning approval for a wholesale redevelopment of the area was secured in 2015, paving the way for further investment and modernisation.“Last year saw significant improvements both in the water, with new lock gates bringing significantly enhanced and shortened passage times into and out of the docks and marina, and by the water with new fish handling and processing facilities,” said Alec. “Our strategy to invest in the growth of fish handling, processing and retail will also be a catalyst for further business activity here,” he added. “Across the docks we have laid the foundations for comprehensive development that will see new retail and visitor attractions built. In turn, this will generate jobs and encourage further inward investment.”“We are investing for the future. However, this can only be achieved through close collaboration with partners and in a business environment that makes it easy to invest, operate and employ.”

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.

The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.

The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Dock. Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites.

One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities. ]]>UKHMAFri, 29 Apr 2016 20:26:57 +0100Portsmouth to Host a Baker’s Dozen Cruise Ship Visits in Mayhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article725
The majority of activity in May will see passengers starting and ending their cruise holidays at the Port. Eight cruise ships will be taking advantage of flexible turnaround services and high quality cruise facilities for embarking and disembarking passengers.In addition five cruise ships will be arriving at Portsmouth International Port in May for a day visit, bringing passengers to explore the world class attractions in the Waterfront City and the wider area. Among them will be the National Geographic Explorer, described as the “World’s Expedition Ship”.NG Explorer is the flagship of the National Geographic cruise fleet, and will arrive at Portsmouth International Port on 11th May from London. Eighty-one spacious cabins provide accommodation for just 146 guests on a small luxury cruise ship designed to access some of the most remote coastlines on the planet.Passengers onboard NG Explorer will be on a 15 day cruise around the British Coast, stopping in Portsmouth to learn more about the ships and landmarks that make it the perfect destination for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in maritime and naval history. The next stop on the journey will be Fowey in Cornwall, with guests eventually tracing the routes of Vikings and Celts all the way around Ireland and Scotland, before reaching their final destination in Bergen, Norway.The most frequent visitor to Portsmouth International Port in May will be Noble Caledonian’s Serenissima, a small luxury cruise ship that began its life in the Norwegian fjords. Just like the NG Explorer, Serenissima proves that smaller sized ships can really deliver an amazing experience, able to access ports and parts of the coastline that larger cruise ships can’t get close to.Serenissima will cruise in and out of Portsmouth harbour four times in May. Noble Caledonian has designed a month’s schedule of week-long cruises that begin and end at Portsmouth International Port. Passengers departing on May 1st will be heading off to the Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly. Other cruises in May include a holiday to discover gardens by the sea and a “Britain and Ireland Odyssey”.Another small explorer ship arriving in May is Ocean Nova. Designed for the harshest of Arctic conditions, the vessel has a strengthened hull that can deal with ice flows. It won’t be a feature required in this cruise though, ‘Ocean Nova’ will be bringing passengers to Portsmouth at the end of a trip that will have taken them from Devon, around the Isles of Scilly to France and the Channel Islands before disembarking at Portsmouth International Port.Swan Hellenic’s Minerva will be making two appearances during May in Portsmouth, with passengers starting and finishing European cruises at “Britain’s Best Connected Port”. Parent company All Leisure Holidays has seen the benefit of basing ships at Portsmouth International Port for the summer season, taking advantage of excellent transport connections to London and beyond. ALH has recently extended a contract at the Port with Voyager, another of the company’s ships, also due to be in Portsmouth in May.The largest ship to visit is Albatros, owned and operated by the well-regarded German cruise operator Phoenix Reisen. At more than two hundred metres in length the vessel can carry over 800 passengers. Albatros will be calling at Portsmouth International Port on 10th May, the second call of this year and a welcome economic boost for tourist attractions and business in the City.Rupert Taylor, Harbour Master at Portsmouth International Port, is in charge of coordinating cruise ship visits alongside the other busy operations at the Port. Rupert said, “We’ve grown used to May being the busiest month, but each year it looks and feels very different. This year we are looking forward to seeing new expedition ships, including NG Orion, as well as old favourites like Minerva. The range of holidays on offer changes too, with a wonderful selection of destinations to choose from.”]]>UKHMAFri, 29 Apr 2016 20:32:50 +0100Call for Kilkeel Harbour Expansionhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article726
Fishing firm Sea Source believes private investment is needed to grow the port

Chief executive Alan McCulla said: "Unless we grow our port, we will miss out on the future investment which is about to take place here.

"Already we are seeing a strong and sustainable renaissance in fishing. In addition to this, there now exists a fleet of specialist vessels and crews who can undertake all sorts of work on behalf of offshore developers, particularly those in cable-laying and renewable energy.

"The risk is that other ports in the Irish Sea basin could benefit from our success if we don’t expand."

Mr McCulla added: "Investment in the fishing industry has been very healthy in the last two years.

"One example is the multimillion-pound investment in a new fishing vessel which is too big to dock in Kilkeel harbour."

Mr Annett said: "As one of the top three landing locations for langoustines in the UK and Ireland, the County Down port has developed international export markets and has diversified into other areas of the marine economy including commercial offshore developments.

"Kilkeel is seeing a resurgence in the fishing sector with the industry securing more than 800 jobs on shore as well as on the boats."

The firm is already branding seafood and fish products available in supermarkets and aims to expand its market throughout the UK and Ireland.]]>UKHMAWed, 04 May 2016 10:19:18 +0100Plans to Boost Moray Harbourshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article727
Last year, the local authority learned that its six ports were operating at a collective loss of about £135,000.

Tomorrow, councillors will meet in Elgin to debate proposals for a new operating model at the ports.

A report to members outlines the significant role harbours could play in boosting the financially struggling authority’s coffers.

Transportation manager, Nicola Moss, said: “Moray’s harbours have an important role to play in the economic life of the area – supporting the fishing industry, enabling the movement of cargo for the whisky trade, and supporting leisure activities and tourism.

“There are opportunities for the harbours to grow and develop in support of these activities.”

A wide-ranging study of the costs imposed for berthing at Moray’s ports revealed that the region was missing out by charging well below the national average.

Council officers believe revising the pricing system and launching individual development projects aimed at boosting each harbour could turn the ailing enterprises into money-spinners.

Increasing leisure charges across the board could bring in at least £37,000 in additional revenue.

Councillors have also been asked to axe a discount for boat owners aged over 60, as the scheme has “no obvious justification” and “is not offered at non-Moray harbours”.

Officers suggest promoting the new Cullen Sea School to lure visitors to the village’s port to learn seafaring skills.

They believe Portknockie harbour could be rejuvenated as a tourist hotspot by creating camping pods and holiday homes at the shore.

Burghead harbour, they believe, could be boosted by making the most of its links to the village’s Pictish past.

And councillors have been advised that the future of the region’s biggest harbour, at Buckie, is as a link in the supply of energy from offshore windfarms.

Buckie councillor Gordon McDonald said: “We really need to promote the harbours in Moray and try to better promote the assets we have.

“Especially in Buckie and Burghead, there is scope to increase cargo traffic and other enterprises such as offshore renewables.”

Public consultation on the plans will start this month, if they are approved by councillors.]]>UKHMAThu, 05 May 2016 10:46:14 +0100Port of Blyth Posts Record Profitshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article728
A North East port has bucked the national trend to post record turnover in 2015.

While many other ports nationally and locally have suffered due to slumps in the steel, offshore and coal markets, Port of Blyth saw its turnover increase 11% to £19.8m, with operating profits more than doubling to £1.4m.

The Port, which is preparing for the Tall Ships Regatta this summer, saw the volume of cargo it handles increase from 1.7m tonnes to 1.9m.

Port bosses said the key driver of its growth had been a doubling in turnover of energy sector related trade, supported by its success in attracting unitised, breakbulk and dry bulk cargoes.

The completion of a marine fuel terminal in 2015 saw the introduction of liquid bulks movement at Blyth for the first time.

Chief executive Martin Lawlor said: “We’re delighted to announce another set of record results across the group, driven by the primary port operating business’ best financial results to date and a strong performance across all trade sectors.”

The port, which employs around 120 people directly with another 50 contractors generally on site, has developed a logistics wing called Transped and has also carved out a niche as a training provider for ports around the country.

It also welcomed IHC Engineering and Colas as new tenants during 2015.

The port’s role in the community was highlighted with the first phase of the Blyth Education and Community Hub (BEACH) project and the opening of a restaurant, heritage centre and marine sciences facility. The second phase of the project, which involves a new training and water sports centre, is likely to be completed this summer.

The port is also looking to developed its underused Bates Terminal and improve links to the Wimbourne Quay, using part of its land that has been granted Enterprise Zone Status.

Incoming Port of Blyth chairman Geoff Hodgson said: “2015 has been record year for the Port of Blyth and by some distance. As a trust, the port’s on-going success will benefit our wider stakeholders and with a diverse trade base and numerous investments over the coming years, we expect to continue this growth in 2016 and beyond.”]]>UKHMAThu, 05 May 2016 11:08:50 +0100Fireball on Hampshire Riverhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article729
The blazing yacht then started to float dangerously towards other boats moored on the river during the drama last night.

The explosion coming from the direction of the Warsash Harbour Master on the River Hamble was spotted by Hamble Lifeboat Crew who were on a training exercise.

The incident happened at approximately 8.30pm outside the Rising Sun Pub.

Hamble Lifeboat immediately informed the UK Coastguard of the incident and also alerted Hampshire Fire and Rescue.

The lifeboat raced to the scene and saw the vessel was completely on fire.

Within that short space of time and it was established that there was only one person involved and he was safe and well away from the vessel.

The vessel on fire then drifted away from the pontoon and towards other craft due to the flood tide went upstream.

The lifeboat was able to safely attach a line and get the vessel away from other yachts and craft moored on the river.

Once under tow, the lifeboat crew were able to use their pump to extinguish the fire while they brought it to the slipway.

Fire crews from Hightown Fire Station were waiting as well as coastguards.

Once it was established that there was no further danger and everything was safe, the fire crews and the lifeboat returned to their stations.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known.]]>UKHMAThu, 05 May 2016 11:37:50 +0100Progress on Dredging for Falmouthhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article730
Falmouth Harbour Commission (FHC) has just handed over a comprehensive study on the environmental impact of dredging a channel to the dockside which it hopes will pave the way for the scheme to win approval.

Harbourmaster and chief executive of FHC Captain Mark Sansom said assessment itself took five years and he hoped it allayed fears raised by the regulators, the Maritime Management Organisation (MMO).

Captain Mark Sansom, chief executive of Falmouth Harbour Commission

"This is a tremendous achievement and the result of many years of hard work," he said.

"The commissioners and their partners have persevered with this huge undertaking as we firmly believe that the dredging is fundamental to ensuring the future prosperity of the port.

"This has taken considerable time and investment of resources, but we are confident that having reviewed the results of the trial and having taken independent advice, we have supplied the MMO with everything it needs to make its decision."

Falmouth Harbour is the third deepest natural harbour in the world and the deepest in Europe but the town’s maritime and tourist industry has long called for a fresh channel to be dredged in order to allow larger ships to berth alongside.

With an increasing number of cruise ships visiting the town every year, business leaders have called for purpose built facilities for high-spending passengers. Depending on tides, some vessels have to run tenders to and from the ships which are anchored in deeper waters.]]>UKHMAThu, 05 May 2016 11:51:31 +0100Grangemouth Container Port Marks 50 Years in Operationhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article731
The container port at Grangemouth will mark 50 years in operation this weekend.

The terminal at Grangemouth was then the only UK port in the Sea-land port rotation, which called at Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Baltimore, Maryland, in the US, then Rotterdam, Bremen and Grangemouth.

Grangemouth was the first UK port to handle goods shipped by container, and to date more than three million containers have been processed and more than £6 billion worth of goods are handled by the port each year.

Commenting on the ports 50 years in operation, Charles Hammond, group chief executive of Forth Ports, said: “We are excited about reaching this significant milestone in the history of the port.

“Over the past 50 years the port has changed and adapted to the changing needs of our customers and we are now Scotland’s largest container port and makes a major contribution to the economy of Scotland.

“We look forward to continuing to play our part for Scotland in the next 50 years.”

Last year Forth Ports launched a feasibility study to assess the viability and cost of deepening the shipping channel at Grangemouth port to accommodate larger, heavier container ships and bulk vessels.

Forth Ports also expanded its container capacity at Grangemouth last year to 12,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit, the industry standard container size), meaning it had doubled the container storage area since 2005.

]]>UKHMAMon, 09 May 2016 17:05:47 +0100Maersk Return to Liverpool after 10 Yearshttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article732
The Antwerp makes her first visit to the Port of Liverpool as part of a new service

Port of Liverpool owner Peel Ports celebrated the return of shipping line Maersk with a formal welcome reception for its feeder vessel, Antwerp.

The event was attended by representatives of shipping lines Seago and Maersk, along with customers, and was followed by a port tour, including a trip to the top of the 300ft Grain Tower affording views over the whole site.

Operator Seago is the latest carrier to introduce a new service via Liverpool and will provide a new cargo route between Algeciras-Liverpool-Dublin.

The feeder service will further strengthen the £300m development Liverpool2’s Irish Sea Hub offering and establish direct cargo connections to and from the North West of England to Ireland and onwards to the Mediterranean, providing trade links to North and West Africa.

The new service will offer six days transit time between Algeciras and Liverpool, with vessels arriving and departing on Wednesdays.

Patrick Walters, commercial director at Peel Ports, said: “This is a significant step in the transformation taking place at the Port of Liverpool.

“Seago is one of several new services that we have secured already in 2016.

“Along with the progress at Liverpool2, the imminent opening of the Port Salford national import centre, and the backing we’ve received from cargo owners joining our Cargo200 initiative, there is a real sense of momentum about the North West.

“Supply chain providers, and their customers, are all looking for ways to reduce costs, congestion and carbon emissions.

“The interest we’re getting from the industry clearly indicates that they are increasingly looking at Liverpool as the place to be.”

Seago Line general manager for UK & Ireland, Robert Clegg, said: “We are thrilled to offer this new connection to Liverpool and expand our product portfolio for markets in the UK and Ireland.

“With competitive transit times and convenient berthing windows, we are well placed to serve customers who seek new opportunities through this Mediterranean connection.

“Furthermore, our customers located in the Liverpool hinterland can now access South European and North African markets with Seago Line as a complementary addition to our existing offer.”

Brian Godsafe, managing director at Maersk Line, which has its UK & Ireland base in Liverpool’s Plaza Building, added: “This service is a positive addition to our current portfolio. The Irish Sea feeder offers flexibility to customers in the Liverpool area and the wider North West region.”

This is the first time that the Maersk Group Company has used Liverpool for UK cargoes in more than 10 years and will be Maersk Group’s first ever direct connection to the Irish capital.

Earlier this year WEC Lines, which is owned by MSC, introduced a number of new services to the Port of Liverpool, and X-PRESS, the world’s largest independent common carrier of containers, has also launched a new service via the city.

Liverpool2 is to have a phased opening, with marine trials beginning soon and other elements of the semi-automated terminal coming online throughout the second quarter of 2016.

The first phase of the new terminal will be fully operational in the autumn.]]>UKHMAMon, 09 May 2016 17:17:09 +0100Aberdeen Harbour profits up by a fifth despite oil and gas downturnhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article733
Mark Lammey12/05/2016

The head of Aberdeen harbour said yesterday the decision to overlook the Nigg Bay expansion project for City Region Deal funding did not “make his day”, but was “not a complete surprise”.

Aberdeen Harbour Board (AHB) had hoped to benefit from the £250million city deal, but will have to fund the project with its own profits and third party backing following the snub.

Projected costs for Nigg Bay have shot up to £415million from £320million and AHB has previously said it will need to borrow up to £200million.

AHB chief executive Colin Parker said local authorities will be able to use £25million of city deal cash to improve road access to Nigg Bay, but only after the new harbour is built.

Mr Parker said: “There are issues governments face in terms of state funding for ports. It did not make our day, but it was not a complete surprise.”

In the meantime, he said AHB was “exploring all avenues to find grant funding to reduce the burden on customers”.

Aberdeen harbour users have been hit by rate increases of 17.3% in 2015 and 15.8% this year as part of wider plans to cover the expansion costs.

Mr Parker said port users had been consulted about the changes and had understood the need for their introduction.

He said: “Customers appreciate we’re not profiteering and that the money goes towards providing facilities for the future. Nigg Bay is an important project appreciated by customers.”

Yesterday, AHB said pre-tax profits for 2015 had gone up to £15million on turnover of £31.7million, despite a dip in activity levels.

The number of vessels using the port fell 6% to 7,428, though tonnage only decreased by 2.1%.

Mr Parker put yesterday’s improved financial results down to a combination of keeping the harbour’s cost base in check, rates rises, and diversification of its cargo portfolio.

Mr Parker also said passenger and freight services to Orkney and Shetland had continued to be in demand, contributing to a 2.9% increase in overall passenger numbers to 158,226.

But he was adamant the port’s expansion is vital for the region, saying: “This is a critical time for Aberdeen and its future. The timing of the development gives us a great opportunity to build on our current traffic flows, anchor decommissioning activity in the north east of Scotland and continue to build on our strong international links.”]]>UKHMAFri, 13 May 2016 10:46:50 +0100Mobilis T1200 chosen for Barmouth Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article734
13/5/2016Katina Read

When two new buoys able to withstand exposed conditions in the outer channel at Barmouth Harbour, Wales, were required, the Mobilis T1200 was an obvious choice.

The North Wales harbour is managed by Gwynedd Council required buoys to stay upright in fast flowing conditions, be visible from a distance to provide safe navigation and also durable enough for the rough conditions the area can experience.

“We suggested the Mobilis T1200 as the buoys were needed for a very exposed area. The buoys are very tough buoy and will be able to withstand the waves and storms,” explained David Foster, technical sales area manager for Hydrosphere that supplied the buoys.

“The buoys are very good quality and provide good value for money. They have a galvanised steel structure and were the ideal solution.”And says senior harbours officer Arthur Jones for Gwynedd Council, the buoys are standing up well to the conditions to date and everyone is very pleased.

“We went for them as the starboard hand mark especially is very exposed and the area is subjected to heavy seas,” he said. ”It’s exposed to the prevailing South West winds and is exposed to regular high waves.“The buoys are slightly larger than the ones we had before. They have good stability and are good solid buoys.”

He added: “Cost was also a feature. We did have to look at the price and compare this to quotes from other companies.”The T1200 Mobilis buoys are 1.2m diameter and each fitted with a self-contained Vega VLB-2 light - a high capacity solar light that provides 2NM performance in high latitude applications.They have a daymark shape containing an internal radar reflector, making them suitable for use in coastal and river locations.

In addition, they are designed so mooring chain can be attached at different heights to the buoy ensuring it will remain upright in fast flowing areas, a key factor for Barmouth Harbour.

Aberdeen Harbour Board has released the latest animation illustrating the proposed new harbour extension at Nigg Bay - see link to external website below.

It provides the most detailed vision yet of the £415million development that would increase capacity and allow larger ships to dock in the city.

Earlier this month, Aberdeen City Council voted to grant planning permission “in principle” for access roads and temporary construction areas to support the project.

Last week, green groups said there was a “question mark” hanging over the site after a report revealed higher than expected levels of metal contamination within the area to be dredged for the expansion.

Aberdeen Harbour Board has discarded the study which raised environmental concerns after a second study came back clean.

A final decision on the project is expected this autumn.]]>UKHMAThu, 19 May 2016 13:27:10 +0100Forth Ports hails achievements of UK’s youngest certificated harbour master during Queensferry Crossing projecthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article736
Ian McConnell, Group Business EditorHerald Scotland19/5/16

Forth Ports has highlighted its pride in the achievements of [UKHMA Council member] Ashley Nicholson, who recently picked up a prestigious award for her role in managing the marine operations during the construction of the new Queensferry Crossing.

Ms Nicholson, 29, described by Forth Ports as the youngest certificated harbour master in the UK, won the Scottish Engineering-Incorporation of Hammermen of Glasgow Award for 2016 and was praised for showing “remarkable abilities” during the giant civil engineering project.

Forth Ports noted that Ms Nicholson is responsible for marine activity on the inner Forth Estuary which had seen an additional 5,000 vessel movements during the construction of the bridge.

Stuart Wallace, divisional director of Forth Ports, said: “We are extremely proud of Ashley’s achievements. The Queensferry Bridge construction is one of the largest engineering projects in Scotland, and Ashley and our marine team have played an invaluable part in ensuring that the river activity has been well co-ordinated to ensure smooth passage for the hundreds of vessels using the waterway each day.”

Ms Nicholson said: “Working on the bridge project is a fantastic experience, and has not been without its challenges. I am grateful to my marine colleagues for the support on this project and we are looking forward to seeing the bridge opened later this year.”

HMS has also announced that their next PFSO course is at Teignmouth next week, from 1-3 June, for ABP Ports.

Additionally, HMS hopes to present about Port Marine Safety Code changes at the UKHMA Autumn Seminar and in the meantime is enhancing its portfolio of people, expertise, and services offered.]]>UKHMAThu, 26 May 2016 12:21:43 +0100Bid to Transform Fisherrow Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article738
13 May 2016Avril Campbell

Bid to transform ‘neglected’ Fisherrow Harbour into a ‘cherished gem’

A FEASIBILITY study is to be carried out to examine the future development of Fisherrow Harbour – which has been branded “neglected”.

East Lothian Council is in the process of enlisting consultants to carry out the study, which will go out to tender.

The Musselburgh Area Partnership has provided £12,000 to fund the study, which will look at a range of issues, including tourism.

The cash boost has been welcomed by local groups seeking to boost the potential of the historic harbour, dubbed “the jewel in Musselburgh’s crown”.

Mark McClelland, Commodore of Fisherrow Yacht Club, said: “We would hope that a feasibility study, by putting a cold hard figure on the possible benefits, would make the economic argument and help the council recognise the value and potential value the harbour has, transforming how it is regarded from a white elephant to a cherished infrastructure gem.”

He added: “The historic harbour at Fisherrow is already the highlight and destination for many walkers, cyclists and other visitors to the area.

“It is part of the John Muir Way and is lucky enough to open right onto a prime area for water sports, a beautiful curving beach with no hazards and very little tidal flow.

“We feel that some expenditure on the harbour could massively boost its positive effect on the locality in terms of tourism and safeguard a local asset for the local people to enjoy too.

“The harbour and surrounds feels very much at the bottom of the list of priorities for local government in terms of maintenance and investment.

“Fisherrow Yacht Club has held meetings with the local MEP and MSP to raise awareness of the possibilities here.

“The west of Scotland and north of Ireland have combined to effectively target readily available EU money to transform the infrastructure in harbours all up those coasts, bringing massive benefits, yet the east coast hasn’t taken the chance to try and do the same.

“At these meetings the politicians were confident that funding could be sourced once a clear plan and a properly funded feasibility study were in place.”

Gaynor Allen, spokesperson for Fisherrow Waterfront Group, said: “We are keen to maximise the potential of our historic harbour, which has suffered from neglect in recent years, and we need the feasibility study to give the best options, and to look at the possibility of pontoons for easier access. We are also keen to see the front of the harbour being used as a public space and to see safe walkways introduced connecting the east and west beaches at Fisherrow. At the moment, getting between the two beaches involves going through a car park and is not safe for young families and people in wheelchairs.

“We welcome the area partnership investing in the harbour area and teaming up with FWG to get the best in terms of economic development and community involvement. We are keen that improvements to the waterfront area tie in with the town centre development and really think this could put Musselburgh on the map. The harbour is one of our best assets and we need to make the most of it.”

Michael Fairnie, who fishes for lobster out of Fisherrow, said any funding allocated to the area was to be welcomed but it was a drop in the ocean. He said: “Nothing has been spent on the harbour for years and years, and it has got to the stage a lot of money needs to be spent. It is the jewel in Musselburgh’s crown but is run down.”

While he understood the council had cash constraints, he claimed: “The council doesn’t seem interested in Fisherrow Harbour. If something happens in North Berwick or Haddington, something is done right away. That’s where all the money is spent.” He felt the £12,000 would be better spent on improving security of the area with closed circuit television and better lighting.

Mr Fairnie suggested formation of a harbour trust might be the way forward to obtain grant-aid but doubted if Fisherrow Harbour generated enough revenue for this to happen. He said this could also result in higher mooring fees which might not be popular with some harbour users.

Stuart Baxter, area partnership manager, said that the Back Sands and promenade would also be included in the study as it was hoped to encourage better use of the facilities.

A council spokeswoman said: “East Lothian Council has supported the creation of harbour trusts in recent years when user groups have indicated that this was a management model they wanted to introduce. The council and Musselburgh Area Partnership are working to continue improvements at Fisherrow to ensure that this continues to be a harbour that’s fit for purpose.

“If Fisherrow user groups are wanting to investigate further the possibility of creating a harbour trust, the council is very open minded to this possibility.”

She added that work to replace harbour side ladders had also gone out to tender. ]]>UKHMATue, 31 May 2016 09:35:44 +0100Windfarm Jacket Leaves Lowestofthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article739
Phil Allan12 May 2016

A prominent fixture on the Lowestoft skyline has left the town’s port for its final destination on the Dudgeon offshore wind farm in the North Sea.

The 1,500-tonne jacket, built by local firm Sembmarine, has dominated Lowestoft’s port skyline for months during its construction.

Spectators lined town’s South Pier to watch the steel structure, that has taken shape at the UK’s only fabrication yard in the Southern North Sea, pass through the pier heads.

Workers completing the substation’s four-deck topside – due for load-out and sail away in July and August – gathered high on the module to watch it go.

The jacket is the latest of more than 90 offshore structures delivered on time and safely by Sembmarine.

It will be towed 100km to the Dudgeon site 32km off Cromer on the Norfolk coast.

The jacket will be sunk into the seabed using suction bucket technology, the first time it has been used on an offshore substation in UK waters.

Sembmarine SLP was contracted to work with Siemens Transmission and Distribution to design and build the offshore substation for wind farm owners Statoil.

The offshore substation will house all systems needed for the handling and export of power from the 402MW wind farm to the onshore substation at Necton, Norfolk and connects to Dudgeon’s 67 turbines by 12 inter-array cables.

The wind farm will generate enough electricity to power 410,000 homes.

Project manager Matthew Wooltorton, said: “There is a total of 6,000 tonnes moving away. It is not a quick operation, at a speed of about four knots, possibly up to 10 knots once at sea.”

Sembmarine SLP hopes its successful delivery, on time and safely, will help it win future offshore wind farm substation projects, including that for the East Anglia ONE farm.]]>UKHMATue, 31 May 2016 09:47:55 +0100Docking Solutions Delivers to Cattewater Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article740
12 May 2016

Docking Solutions delivers to Cattewater Harbour Commissioners

Cattewater Harbour Commissioners have taken delivery of a bespoke pontoon for specialist duties

Bespoke pontoon manufacturer, Docking Solutions, will be showcasing its offerings at Seawork International next month.

Docking Solutions has recently delivered a special purpose pontoon to carry Cattewater Harbour Commissioners’ pollution control equipment. Docking Solutions designed and built a special purpose pontoon to provide a solution, which had to be robust enough to be manoeuvred in to position by a tug boat and had to be capable of carrying the heavy generators and associated pollution control equipment.

Two small containers were purchased and had to fit back to back on the pontoon, one for equipment storage and one for the temporary storage of drums of pollutant. The pontoon was delivered recently, and is moored in Plymouth Harbour, ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Docking Solutions delivers bespoke pontoons ranging from small versions for private use, through to large tubular modules. All are produced to an exacting finish; the flotation tanks are fitted with replaceable grounding shoes to protect the underside as the tide falls and the pontoon sits on the sea-bed. The freeboard is adjusted at design stage to provide the client with the desired “ride height”. Decked with GRP grating allows for drainage and excellent slip resistance. In this instance both the deck frame and the brow have been galvanised for a long maintenance free life.

Docking Solutions will be at Seawork International at stand PO70 in the Pacific Hall.

The first cruise ship to berth at Fishguard Harbour arrived 16 May, bringing the first 100 passengers of around 5,000 visitors who will visit north Pembrokeshire via the port over the summer months.

The Malta registered MV Corinthian, berthed in Fishguard at 7.30 am, with visitors disembarking to enjoy the area until the ship leaves the harbour at 10pm.

Passengers were welcomed by local dignitaries and a team from Refreshing North Pembrokeshire and Stena.

Some are then going on to explore the historical towns of Fishguard and Goodwick while others have embarked on guided visits across north Pembrokeshire.

The port is preparing to welcome nineteen cruise ships this year, nearly three times more than last year.

The substantial increase in numbers visiting the port in 2016 has been attributed to positive feedback from previous visits and support from Visit Wales.

“The Port of Fishguard is delighted that north Pembrokeshire has been chosen as a major visitor destination for cruise companies,” said a spokesperson for the Fishguard cruise committee.

“The excellent docking facilities at the port, together with the stunning coastline enables North Pembrokeshire to attract large numbers of vessels.

“It is hoped that cruise traffic can be added to year on year, making Fishguard one of the most important cruise destinations in the UK.” ]]>UKHMATue, 31 May 2016 10:11:04 +0100Lydney Harbour Swing Bridge to be Restoredhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article742
17 May 2016

Work is getting under way to restore a swing bridge along a canal in Gloucestershire so yachts and motor boats can use the waterway once again.

Lydney Harbour’s bridge is along a one-mile (1.5 km) stretch of canal that runs inland from the River Severn to Lydney.

A crane will lift the bridge out of position so it can be refurbished off-site.

Restoration will take about 12 weeks with the bridge returned in August.

The bridge mechanism will be mended to allow it to swing open and close

The work is being paid for by the Environment Agency and government grants totalling £60,000.

The refurbishment involves fixing the operating mechanism to allow the structure to swing open and to close.

The restored bridge will be ready in August

Timber cladding will also be replaced so that people can walk safely along the bridge without slipping.

Once the refurbished bridge is in place, it will be operated by the harbour master.

While the works are taking place, signs will be put up for alternative crossing points to access the harbour side.

The Lydney docks and harbour are both designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monuments.]]>UKHMATue, 31 May 2016 10:16:32 +0100£50,000 Awarded to Regenerate Portreath Harbourhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article743
17 May 2016

Portreath is getting £50,000 to help regenerate the harbour.

It is one of the 15 projects along the Great British Coast benefitting from a share of £700,000, Communities Minister Mark Francois announced this week.

The projects - dotted across the country from Durham to Dorset - have been awarded up to £50,000 each to help restore local landmarks to their former glory.

Officials say that Portreath is a historic community that was a vital cog in the creation of Cornwall’s mining industry, but in modern times it hasn’t been able to make the most of its heritage and beautiful harbour.

The grant of £50,000 will enable Cornwall Council to regenerate the harbour by removing unsightly structures to reveal unspoilt views of the Grade II listed harbour and to support local fisherman with a new purpose built facility to make, repair and store fishing equipment as well as ice and chill the local catch.

A heritage centre showing visitors how Portreath’s importance to the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site will also be built. And alongside this a now derelict World War II WAAF camp site is to be renovated to provide a wildlife area for local schools educational programmes.

It is hoped that these three projects will provide an economic boost to the community and encourage a wave of enthusiasm for trips to our much-loved seaside areas, as well as help boost the £4 billion that tourism generates for coastal communities nationwide every year.

Chris Watts, Chairman of Portreath Parish Council, said: "The Portreath Coastal Community Team are delighted to have been awarded £50,000 to continue the work on the three projects within the parish. It is a real boost to the team as we can now get planning applications and ground works under way."

Joyce Duffin, Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment and Cornwall Councillor for Mount Hawke and Portreath, said: "I know members of the Parish Council, Portreath Harbour Association and the community have worked extremely hard to build the Portreath Coastal Community Team and I am extremely pleased that the Team have secured £50,000 funding, the highest grant amount available, for these three important projects. This investment from the Coastal Revival Fund will encourage people to visit the community as well as providing vital resources for our fisherman and local schools."

Jeremy Rowe, Cabinet Member for Localism, said: "It is great news that Cornwall is to benefit from funding from the Government’s Coastal Revival Fund. I am very glad that our Communities and Devolution team was able to assist our local communities with their applications for funding and also Cornwall Council agreeing to be the accountable body for the funding."

Julian German, Cornwall Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Culture said: "Coastal communities are an essential element of our local economy and there is a strong community resolve in them as everyone works together to improve their area. I am delighted their efforts have been recognised in this manner"

Coastal Communities Minister Mark Francois said: "Across our Great British Coast we’ve got heritage hooks to be proud of, but some of these places need some tender, loving, care.

"That’s why over the past year we’ve invested £3.7million to get them back into ship-shape and now Portreath harbour and 14 more brilliant British attractions will be buoyed up by work to restore them to their former glory.

"This country has sight-seeing gems that are a match for anywhere in the world and I’d urge people to take a trip down to the seaside to discover them."

These grants build on the 77 projects awarded a share of £3m through the Coastal Revival Fund in December 2015.

The renovations to these much-loved venues - and the jobs and opportunity they create - are part of the wider government work to rebalance the economy and help all areas of the country thrive.]]>UKHMATue, 31 May 2016 10:26:02 +0100Investment Plans for Kings Lynn Porthttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article744
David Bale19 May 2016

King’s Lynn port will be transformed with £1m crane

The future is looking bright for the port of King’s Lynn, where millions of pounds worth of investment is set to transform the site.

Associated British Ports (ABP) is keen to give the port a makeover, as part of a commitment to equip its sites with modern technology and machinery.

That investment includes a new £1.1m crane which will enable the port to accommodate wider vessels.

Paul Brooks, port manager, said: “The future is bright for the port of King’s Lynn, with the investment, and the continued support of our workforce and customers.”

John Jarvis, port operations manager, said ABP had recognised that investment was required, and was delivering: “Last year the port handled about 500,000 tonnes of cargo. While that has been stable for about three years, we are now seeing an upturn.

“We have just ordered a new £1.1m crane with a wider reach, which will enable us to accommodate larger vessels, up to 18m in width, and a wider scope of products, and also support our current customer base.

“We are also looking to build a new 15,000 tonnes shed to replace an existing one, which would cost about £3m.

“We are also looking to recruit more staff. Thirty-five full-time staff are already employed here.

“And we are also about to invest £200,000 for solar panels.”

The port also has three new forklift trucks in operation.

They are being used in a variety of activities such as loading bricks, timber, steel and general cargo.

These trucks have a lower fuel consumption, but provide improved driver comfort and aids.

The port’s main import is timber from Scandinavia and the Baltic while it exports wheat, barley and oilseed. ]]>UKHMATue, 31 May 2016 10:38:30 +0100Royal Caribbean International Sign 7 Year Deal with Port of Southamptonhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article745
21 May 2016

Harmony of the Seas is the biggest the ship in the world and as she departed Southampton on her maiden voyage she left a legacy worth £200million to the local economy.

Royal Caribbean International, the owner of Harmony of the Seas, has signed a seven-year deal with the port of Southampton which secures the City Cruise Terminal as the official UK home of the holiday company until 2023.

The cruise line’s strategic operations officer, Mike Jones, and managing director of UK and Ireland, Stuart Leven, made the announcement during the traditional Plaques and Keys ceremony held aboard the massive ship.

The figure of £200million is based on expected passenger numbers, spend per passenger, job opportunities and requirements Royal Caribbean is pumping £5.5million into improved facilities at the terminal to speed up embarkations and tighten security.

Mr Jones, who flew in from Miami for the ceremony, claims the introduction of new paperless check-in for passengers will mean a passengers will be able to travel from kerb to gangway in just ten minutes.

Other upgrades include improvement to layout and security screening areas, free wifi throughout the terminal, step-free-access to ships, digital signage and new air conditioning throughout the terminal.

The upgrade will mean Southampton will be able to cater for the new generation of larger cruise ships such as Harmony of the Seas, which if stood on end would stand 37 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Stuart Leven said of the deal: “Each year, more than 1.5 million holidaymakers either start or end their cruise holidays in Southampton, making the port Europe’s largest cruise ship hub.

“Such a busy passenger hub deserves best-in-class facilities and at Royal Caribbean we are constantly looking for ways to improve the passenger experience.

’I want our passengers’ extraordinary adventure to begin the moment they arrive at the Port, before they even step on board the ship.

“The investment Royal Caribbean has made into the port is good news for our passengers and good news for Southampton’s economy.”

ABP Southampton director Alastair Welch said: “This deal will secure the port’s reputation as the UK’s number one and leading European turnaround port long into the future.

’Equally, it is great news for the UK economy, and the landmark deal can only increase the significant contribution cruise makes to the 15,000 jobs and £1bn economic contribution of the port.”

Stewart Dunn, chief executive of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is delighted to have been part of the Harmony of the Seas presentation.

’The celebrations coincided with a seven-year deal that truly underlines the Port of Southampton’s position as the cruise capital of northern Europe.”

The Plaques and Keys ceremony was held in the ship’s jazz lounge in front of Nick Farthing, of Southampton Chamber of Commerce, and other business leaders including ABP’s chief executive James Cooper.

Traditionally the keys of the city would be given to the skipper however, Mr Farthing gave Harmony of the Seas captain, Gus Andersson, a plaque containing the city’s coat of arms.

In return, the ship presented Mr Farthing and Mr Cooper, a print of specially commissioned artwork.

]]>UKHMATue, 31 May 2016 11:07:15 +0100Stena Line Cairnryan harbour Valuation Taken to Tribunalhttp://www.ukhma.org/news.php#article746
23 May 2016

Stena Line moved to the new facility in 2011

Ferry operator Stena Line is contesting the £1.25m rateable value set on its Cairnryan ferry port claiming it could compromise future site investment.

An appeal against the Assessor for Dumfries and Galloway will go to the Lands Tribunal for Scotland in July.

The company claimed the new rate was "effectively double" what it paid at its old site in Stranraer.

Assessor Keith Mossop described the hearing as "really just a procedural matter."